JOIN USForget the bulky paperwork, you can now apply, validate and activate new pre- and post-paid mobile connections using your Aadhaar card and fingerprint at the point of sale.
The government on Tuesday issued e-KYC (Know Your Customer) guidelines to make the online process of application and authentication faster and simpler for subscribers.
In contrast to the existing document-based process, the move is intended to cut down time for SIM activation as KYC is verified instantly. In e-KYC, a customer, through the Aadhaar number and biometrics, will authorise the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to provide details like name, address, date of birth and gender, along with the digitally-signed photograph, to the mobile operator.
“Digitally-signed electronic KYC data provided by UIDAI is machine readable, making it possible for licensees to directly store it as customer record in their database for the purpose of issuing a mobile connection,” a Department of Telecom notification said.
Cellular Operators Association of India director-general Rajan Mathews said that the move will be helpful for all stakeholders as it simplifies activation, eases verification process and enhances security. “Earlier, the entire verification process would last 8-10 hours. It will now be greatly reduced,” he said.
Bharti Airtel plans to start rolling out Aadhaar-based e-KYC solutions this week, MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Gopal Vittal said.
Vodafone India termed the e-KYC solution “an instant, secure and green mobile subscriber verification project” and said all stakeholders will benefit from it. Customers will soon be able to walk into any Vodafone store with their Aadhaar card and walk out connected within minutes, the company statement read.
According to Hemant Joshi, Partner, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, the move will bring down the cost of subscriber acquisition significantly.