Telcos asked to scrutinise bulk mobile connections

Taking a tough stand on the failure by mobile operators to verify subscriber documents, the government on Monday issued them directives to carry out special authenticity checks for bulk connections besides taking other measures to check the validity.

"The licensee company is required to submit information of bulk connection on a monthly basis to Senior DDG (Vigilance), device appropriate fraud management and prevention progamme, maintain a record of check for verification by licensor," the Department of Telecom said in a directive to the mobile operators.

The directive specifically mentions that multiple connections have been issued in single names by the franchisee of the company by using forged identity/address proof documents.

"Provide list/details of suspected subscribers to senior DDG (Vigilance) and inspect bulk user premises at regular interval for satisfying about bonafide use. Maintain

record of inspection and preserve the same for minimum one year.

DoT said in case an operator is found to be providing telephone connections without proper verification of subscribers, the operators will be issued a showcause on why appropriate action including imposition of penalty should not be taken.

The Department said that during a special drive conducted by licensor to ascertain the status of subscriber verification by service providers in compliance with the license conditions, it has been noticed that the companies have failed to comply.

DoT's concern comes in the wake of unearthing of large-scale fake connections recently taken on forged documents which are a violation of license conditions besides posing a security threat.

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