“Upcoming Changes to SIM Replacement in Mobile Number Portability Effective July 1”

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced amendments to the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regulations, set to take effect from July 1, 2024, aimed at combating fraudulent activities related to SIM card swaps and replacements.

According to TRAI, SIM swap or replacement involves the process of acquiring a new SIM card to replace a lost or non-functional SIM card by an existing subscriber. The regulatory body issued the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, on March 14, outlining these measures.

Under the new regulations, TRAI emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the MNP process, which allows users to retain their mobile numbers when switching from one telecom service provider to another within the country. The amendments mark the ninth revision since the inception of the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulations in 2009, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance the MNP framework.

Key changes include the introduction of stricter criteria for issuing Unique Porting Codes (UPCs) following SIM swaps or replacements. TRAI mandates that UPCs should not be allocated if the request is made within seven days of a SIM swap or replacement, compared to the previous ten-day window. This adjustment aims to balance security concerns against subscriber convenience, addressing stakeholders’ varied feedback on the optimal wait period.

Explaining the rationale behind these amendments, TRAI notes that while some stakeholders advocated for a longer waiting period to prevent fraudulent activities, others argued for shorter durations to minimize subscriber inconvenience, especially during urgent porting needs.

These regulatory updates are part of TRAI’s broader strategy to clamp down on fraudulent practices where mobile numbers are ported through illegitimate SIM swap or replacement processes. The amendments seek to enhance security and reliability in the mobile number porting ecosystem, ensuring that users’ transitions between telecom providers are conducted securely and efficiently.

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