The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) made updates on March 15 to prevent users from changing their network provider through porting if they’ve recently replaced their SIM card.
The Authority released the Draft Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2023, based on the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) suggestions.
No Porting for 7 Days After New SIM
If someone gets a new physical SIM card because their old one is lost, damaged, or stolen, they can’t switch to a new telecom operator for seven days. After this period, they can change their service provider.
TRAI says that they’ve introduced these rules to prevent fraudulent SIM replacements in India and said there have been instances of misuse of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and SIM replacement, leading to increased fraud risks.
While TRAI didn’t specify how scammers exploit this, it’s commonly reported that SIM card cloning fraud often occurs during MNP and SIM replacement.
The regulations forbid telecom operators from issuing a “unique porting code” (UPC), the first step in switching providers using MNP. This change aims to stop fraudsters from easily porting mobile connections right after SIM swapping or replacement under the guise of new subscribers.
The new rules allow users time to activate their new SIM before any potential misuse of the porting system. Users without a replaced SIM can still port freely but are limited to once every 90 days. After switching, they must wait 90 days before changing providers again.
These regulations underwent consultation with stakeholders and subsequent adjustments based on their feedback. Key Amendments and Stakeholder Input are as follows:
1. Wait Period After SIM Swap/Replacement
- Stakeholders proposed varying wait periods after SIM swap/replacement.
- The Authority decided on a seven-day wait period to balance fraud prevention and subscriber convenience.
2. Porting Restrictions for SIM Upgradation
- Stakeholders argued against porting restrictions for SIM upgradation due to existing DoT guidelines ensuring customer authentication.
- The Authority concluded that current DoT guidelines adequately prevent fraudulent practices during SIM upgradation, thus no need for porting restrictions.
3. Additional Criterion for UPC Request Rejection
- The Authority introduced a criterion rejecting UPC requests made before seven days post-SIM swap or replacement.
- Implementation is set for 01.07.2024, requiring modifications in telecommunication systems.
4. Matching Demographic Details Before Porting
- DoT suggested incorporating demographic details matching before permitting porting.
- Stakeholders emphasized machine-based validation of demographic details, currently under TRAI examination.
5. Miscellaneous Issues
The Authority invited stakeholders to address additional concerns regarding mobile number porting, which will be duly examined for potential improvements.
Part of Anti-Spam Efforts
This action is part of TRAI’s efforts to tackle spam calls, a growing concern. Previous measures include creating a do-not-disturb registry for subscribers to avoid spam and requiring businesses to send transactional SMS messages in a registered format.
TRAI also recommended a feature to display the registered name of callers on recipients’ phones, despite privacy concerns. Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched Chakshu, a portal to report suspected fraud communication.
TRAI is considering a suggestion from DoT to tighten Know Your Customer (KYC) processes during porting to prevent misuse. Currently, only possession of an unblocked SIM is needed for porting.
The Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, are accessible on the TRAI website.