Telcos now need to personalize e-SIMs within India itself

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in April 2021 released a notification extending the instructions issued in 2019 for the personalization of SIM cards to e-SIMs. DoT had back in 2019 mandated personalization of SIM card provided to the subscribers for accessing the mobile network of licensed telecom service providers to be mandatorily done within India.

The personalization of SIM cards had to be mandatorily done with India effective 1st March 2020. The same rules will now apply to e-SIMs as well with IT equipment and the data utilized for personalization of e-SIMs to be done within India. The instructions are applicable since mid-April 2021.

“This is in reference to DoT letter no. 800-04/2017-AS.II dated 19.08.2019 in which it was mandated for personalization of SIM cards, provided to the subscribers for accessing the mobile network of Licensed Telecom Service Providers, within India w.e.f. 01.03.2020. Now, it has been decided by the competent authority that the above mentioned instructions issued for personalization of SIM cards shall be extended to e-SIMs also. The IT equipment and the data utilized for personalization of e-SIMs shall be within India. These instructions shall be applicable from the issue of this letter.“

DoT

The telecom service providers need to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for personalization of SIM cards. There is also a procedure for audit of Personalisation centers and Personalisation process.