Reliance Jio has halted its planned launch of a mobile SIM card home delivery service following objections from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The move came after the DoT raised security concerns over a similar offering by Airtel and Blinkit, according to Economic Times.
Jio Had Planned to Begin Deliveries from April 25
On April 16, Jio wrote to DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal, stating its plan to begin fast-track SIM card deliveries at customer homes starting April 25. The plan was modeled after Airtel’s initiative and aimed to provide users with a faster onboarding process.
Airtel’s 10-Minute SIM Delivery Model Faces Objections
Airtel had partnered with Blinkit to deliver SIM cards within 10 minutes for a Rs 49 convenience fee. However, the DoT intervened, objecting to the delivery of SIMs before completing customer verification, which it said raised national security concerns.
DoT: KYC Must Be Completed Before Delivery
The DoT then issued a directive to all telecom companies requiring Aadhaar-based self-KYC to be fully completed before SIM cards are delivered to customers. The move was made to strengthen security, particularly after recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jio Abandons SIM Delivery Rollout
Following this updated rule, Jio dropped its plan to begin the express delivery service. The company has not disclosed if it will revisit the idea under a revised model that complies with the DoT’s requirements.
Airtel Reevaluating Its SIM Delivery Offering
Sources familiar with the matter said Airtel is currently reviewing the structure of its service. While the company plans to resume doorstep SIM deliveries, the process will likely take longer due to the requirement for pre-delivery KYC verification.
Quick SIM Delivery Seen as Growth Tool for 5G
Telecom analysts believe that fast SIM card delivery can help operators bring in new users as they work to expand 5G services and increase monetisation. However, they also note the importance of adhering to security guidelines.
Rohan Dhamija, head of India and the Middle East at Analysys Mason, said the government’s insistence on completing verification before SIM delivery is reasonable given recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir.