After the implementation of Telecom Act 2023, many new rules have come to the fore. The most important thing is that action will be taken against those who have multiple SIM cards. This action can also be up to fine and imprisonment. On the other hand, if you do not know how many SIMs are running in your name, you can also find out about it sitting at home. In this article, we will tell you what the whole process is and how you can avoid it?
If you have many SIM cards in your name, then you may have to face trouble. On the other hand, if you have taken more SIM cards than the limit set in the telecom law, then you may also have to pay a heavy fine. You can also be jailed for repeatedly violating the rules. How many SIM cards can you take? How can you check online about how many SIM cards are running in your name, here you will get detailed information about all these questions?
How many SIM cards can you take in your name?
The maximum number of SIM cards a person can take will depend on where he is taking the SIM card from. Grant Thornton India partner Nitin Arora says in a media report that except for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Northeast licensed service areas (LSAs), where the limit is six, and the maximum limit of SIM cards per person has been fixed at nine.
What will happen if you take more than the limit?
With this rule coming into effect from June 26, 2024, if you take more than 9 or six (in some specific circles) SIM cards in your name, you may have to pay a fine. Nitin Arora of Grant Thornton India says in a media report that as per the punishment prescribed by the new Telecom Act, a fine of up to INR 50,000 will be imposed for the first time for keeping more SIM cards than the prescribed limit, even after that if this violation happens, the fine can increase to INR 2 lakh. If a fraud case comes to light, the punishment can be up to 3 years imprisonment, or a fine of up to INR 50 lakh, or both.
Even if you have not directly taken more than nine SIM cards, but someone else has taken them in your name, you will be held responsible for taking more than the prescribed number of SIM cards. Therefore, you have to keep in mind how many SIM cards are in your name. Under the new Telecom Act, 2023, taking SIM cards through fraud or cheating is also punishable. According to experts, the penalty prescribed by the Telecom Act is not necessarily linked to the number of SIM cards, but the manner in which the SIM card has been registered is also very important.
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If you already have nine or six (in some specified circles) SIM cards, it is unlikely that you can opt for more SIM cards under your name. Telecom operators can easily identify how many SIM cards a person has taken. License holder service providers have started using software and analytics that can find out how many SIM cards the said person has.
However, if someone is taking SIM cards in your name and using them for fraud, then it is very important for you to know where and how to complain about it. The best way to find out is to check from time to time how many SIM cards are registered in your name.
How to check how many SIM cards are in your name?
The government has a dedicated portal called ‘Sanchar Sathi’ using which you can very easily check how many SIM cards are registered in your name. Here is the complete method on how to use the Sanchar Sathi portal to check how many SIM cards have been taken in your name.
- First go to https://tafcop.sancharsathi.gov.in/telecomUser/.
- Then enter your mobile number in the given column and then type the captcha. Once done, click on ‘Validate Captcha’. After the captcha is verified, an OTP will come, type the received OTP in the prescribed column.
- A new webpage will open and it will show how many connections are in your name. On this page you have three options – ‘Not my number’, ‘Not required’ and ‘Essential’.
- According to the Sanchar Sathi portal, you have to click on the ‘Not my number’ option to request disconnection of those selected mobile connections which are active in your name and without your knowledge.
- According to the Sanchar Sathi portal, you have to click on the ‘Not required’ option to request disconnection of those selected mobile connections which are active in your name and are no longer required.
- According to the Sanchar Sathi portal, by clicking on the ‘Essential’ option you will be informed that the selected mobile connections are active in your name and no action is required.
What about those who already had 9 SIM cards?
For those who already have more than 9 SIM cards, the Telecom Department issued some instructions on December 7, 2021 to re-verify the existing mobile connection. Individual customers having more than 9 mobile connections will be marked for re-verification. If your mobile number is marked for re-verification, you have three options: surrender/transfer/disconnection. So, in all likelihood, if you have more than the prescribed number of SIM cards before the implementation of this notification, no penalty will be imposed, according to experts.