The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made amendments to the mobile number portability (MNP) regulations originally introduced in 2009. This marks the ninth amendment to the regulations, with the latest change addressing the issue of SIM card swapping. When a subscriber loses their SIM card or it becomes damaged, they typically request a SIM swap from their telecom operator, receiving a new SIM card in exchange for the old one.
Under the recent amendment, TRAI has stipulated that subscribers cannot port out of their current network operator for at least 7 days after a SIM swap. Telecom service providers (TSPs) are prohibited from generating a unique porting code (UPC) if the subscriber’s SIM was swapped within the past 7 days. The purpose of this amendment is to protect subscribers from fraudulent activities and spam.
TRAI stated, “These amendment regulations are aimed at curbing the practice of porting of mobile numbers by way of fraudulent SIM swap or replacement by unscrupulous elements.” It further added that the introduction of this criterion ensures that a UPC cannot be allocated if the request was made within 7 days of a SIM swap or replacement.
This amendment underscores TRAI’s commitment to safeguarding consumers’ interactions with telecom service providers, aiming to ensure a secure and hassle-free experience. In the event of a lost or malfunctioning SIM card, subscribers are advised to visit their telecom operator’s nearest store to initiate a SIM swap, requiring valid identification for the process.
