Listen up friends, this is an important update! The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has shared some strict new rules for Mobile Number Portability (MNP). This is an attempt to reduce SIM swap and replacement frauds. This will come into effect from July 1, 2024. As per these regulations, there is going to be a mandatory 7-day waiting period for those seeking to port their mobile numbers. Read along to learn the new guidelines.
If you wish to get a new SIM card with the same number in place of a damaged, lost, or stolen one, then you will now have to wait for a week before initiating the porting process. Now why is this waiting period being introduced? With this TRAI aims to track down and limit fraudulent activities associated with SIM swapping as these are on the rise in India. Remember that Netflix show, Jamtara? Stopping the immediate transfer of numbers upon obtaining a new SIM card can help stop the fraud.
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These new guidelines are a part of the Draft Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2023, and have been implemented following the recommendations from the Department of Telecom (DoT) and extensive consultations with industry stakeholders.
Not just this, TRAI has even asked telecom operators not to disclose the “unique porting code” required to initiate the porting process to new customers, to add an extra layer of security to the MNP system.
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The 7-day waiting period will give people purchasing new SIM cards a window of opportunity to activate their devices securely, minimising the risk of falling victim to SIM swap scams.
No, this waiting period is not for those getting brand-new SIM cards without replacing existing ones. They do not have to comply with any waiting period. However, they need to maintain a 90-day interval between subsequent porting requests.
