The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, has issued an office memorandum (O.M.) notifying the framework for transfer of machine-to-machine (M2M) SIM ownership from one M2M service provider (M2M SP)/licensee to another M2M SP/licensee. Currently, there is no provision for change in name of the owner of M2M SIMs under the prevailing guidelines. Therefore, M2M services for the affected end consumers may get disrupted whenever there is a situation which necessitates change of M2M SP.

The new framework establishes a formal procedure for M2M SIM ownership transfer to ensure a smooth, compliant transition without service discontinuity. This is applicable to all M2M SP/ licensees.

Further, the process will include the following key steps:

  • Transfer request to be raised by M2M service user/third party: The user of the M2M service must submit a formal written request to the existing M2M SP/licensee (the ‘transferor’), detailing the M2M SIMs and specifying the intended transferee M2M SP/licensee.
  • No objection certificate (NOC) by transferor (existing M2MSP/licensee): Within 15 days of receiving the user’s request, the transferor must issue a NOC to the concerned access service providers (ASP), provided there are no outstanding dues from the M2M service user.
  • Undertaking by transferee (new M2M SP/licensee): The transferee M2M SP/licensee must submit a formal undertaking/declaration to the ASP(s) mentioning that it accepts all responsibilities, liabilities, and duties, including compliance with know-your-customer (KYC) and related guidelines, for the transferred M2M SIMs.
  • Verification, KYC, and update by ASP: ASP to scrutinise the request of transfer raised by M2M service user followed by verification of NOC from the transferor and the undertaking from the transferee. Upon successful verification, the ASP(s) must carry out KYC again and update subscriber records to reflect the new ownership.

Additionally, each M2M SIM must at all times remain mapped to an M2M SP/licensee, and there shall be no discontinuation of M2M service to the user.