The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a warning to access service providers, cautioning them against offering internet telephony services for bulk business communications using mobile numbers without performing end-user KYC (Know Your Customer).
The DoT stated that it has received reports indicating some licence holders are providing such services under the business connection category without adhering to mandatory KYC requirements. These services are being offered using regular mobile numbering series, which raises regulatory concerns.
As per the directive issued in August 2023, KYC has been made mandatory for every SIM card, including those used under business connections. However, the telecom industry has faced challenges in implementing this requirement, particularly in cases where bulk connections are issued but the actual end users are not individually identifiable, making KYC verification difficult.
