The recently launched Airtel-Blinkit express home delivery service of SIM cards has been put on hold on security grounds after the government objected to the idea of customers undertaking self-KYC (know-your customer) authentication, post-delivery of such mobile connections. “The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Bharti Airtel to ensure that the Aadhaar-based know-your customer (KYC) authentication exercise is concluded before the actual delivery of SIM cards at customer homes, in keeping with current government regulations,” a person aware of the matter said. Accordingly, Airtel has set in motion plans to rejig the flow of its SIM cards home delivery service to ensure regulatory compliance and early restoration of the service, the person cited added.
Barely a fortnight back, the Sunil Mittal-led telco had teamed up with quick-commerce firm, Blinkit, to ensure lightning delivery of mobile connections to customer homes in just 10 minutes. Airtel customers were being charged a Rs 49 convenience fee for the premium service. Post-delivery, customers could activate their mobile numbers via the standard Aadhaar-based know-your customer (KYC) authentication system in the comfort of their homes. Under the scheme, customers could do such SIM card activation within a 15-day window to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transition. But this has now been disallowed by the government on security grounds.
“With Dot objecting to the service in its current form, it remains to be seen if the Airtel-Blinkit combine can manage to deliver mobile SIMs in 10 minutes or if the delivery period becomes longer,” said a senior industry executive. Under the partnership, Blinkit was to take care of deliveries while Airtel would make it easy for customers to complete self-KYC, activate their SIM and choose between prepaid/postpaid plans.
