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This move follows a request from the Department of Telecommunications, prompted by industry demand.
In a move to streamline regulations around the use of international SIM cards in connected devices, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper exploring a regulatory framework for foreign SIM and eSIM usage in IoT (Internet of Things) and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) devices intended for export. This step responds to requests from the industry and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
As per current Indian telecom rules, foreign SIM cards can only be sold to customers traveling abroad. However, there are restrictions—such as mandatory activation 48 hours before travel and deactivation within 24 hours of returning to India. Industry stakeholders argue that these rules do not suit export-oriented manufacturing of IoT and M2M devices, where foreign SIMs may need to be briefly activated during production for testing, demonstration, or prototyping.
TRAI’s latest consultation paper on the sale of foreign telecom service providers’ SIMs/eSIMs seeks to clarify and potentially redefine who can legally procure and sell these SIMs. The regulator is now inviting suggestions on whether only licensed telecom operators should handle this process, or if other registered Indian entities can be granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate the sale of foreign SIMs for export purposes.
This proposed regulation is crucial for India’s growing electronics manufacturing and export sector, especially for companies building connected devices for global markets. By addressing the regulatory bottlenecks in SIM provisioning, TRAI aims to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global IoT and M2M landscape.
Industry experts, telecom service providers, and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback via the TRAI website, as the authority works towards a more flexible and export-friendly SIM regulation policy. This move could significantly boost Make in India initiatives and IoT device exports.
As per current Indian telecom rules, foreign SIM cards can only be sold to customers traveling abroad. However, there are restrictions—such as mandatory activation 48 hours before travel and deactivation within 24 hours of returning to India. Industry stakeholders argue that these rules do not suit export-oriented manufacturing of IoT and M2M devices, where foreign SIMs may need to be briefly activated during production for testing, demonstration, or prototyping.
TRAI’s latest consultation paper on the sale of foreign telecom service providers’ SIMs/eSIMs seeks to clarify and potentially redefine who can legally procure and sell these SIMs. The regulator is now inviting suggestions on whether only licensed telecom operators should handle this process, or if other registered Indian entities can be granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate the sale of foreign SIMs for export purposes.
This proposed regulation is crucial for India’s growing electronics manufacturing and export sector, especially for companies building connected devices for global markets. By addressing the regulatory bottlenecks in SIM provisioning, TRAI aims to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global IoT and M2M landscape.
Industry experts, telecom service providers, and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback via the TRAI website, as the authority works towards a more flexible and export-friendly SIM regulation policy. This move could significantly boost Make in India initiatives and IoT device exports.
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