Telcos to tighten norms for mobile connections

Mobile telecom companies have joined hands to form an advisory council to oversee proper verification of subscribers before activating phone connections.

The apex Advisory Council for Telecom in India (Act), which comprises both GSM and CDMA operators, monitors the subscriber verification process and defaulting retailers would be blacklisted by all operators, a Cellular Operators' Authority of India (COAI) release said.

The move comes after the government and security agencies raised concerns about the effect on security when telecom companies do not follow user verification norms.

The release said recent instances brought to the fore the importance of ensuring proper verification before a mobile connection is activated.

Act has laid down a 4-stage process to be followed before the activation process is completed.

A subscriber enrolment form is to be correctly filled and signed by the subscriber; a black-and-white or colour photograph, a self attested photocopy of a photo identity card and a self-attested copy of proof of address are to be submitted and verified against the original.

The process has been implemented from April 24, 2006. Operators are taking vigorous steps to create awareness through direct mails, personal interaction with distribution channels and advertisements in the print media.

Act has undertaken independent audits to assess compliance with the process. This has revealed a couple of instances in Delhi where retailers did not follow the required process.