Around 1.1 billion telecom subscribers will soon have to go through a fresh verification process based on their Aadhaar numbers, following an order of the Supreme Court.
According to the industry estimates, the verification process would cost at least Rs 1,000 crore to the telecom companies, reported the Economic Times.
“All licensees shall intimate their existing subscribers through advertisement in print/electronic media as well as SMS about the orders of the Supreme Court for re-verification activity and shall upload the complete details of this activity on their website,” said a notice issued by the department of telecommunications.
The apex court had passed the order on February 6, providing a deadline of exactly one year for compliance.
Telecom companies went through a similar exercise a few years ago after the Central Government instructed them to conduct a know-your-customer (KYC) verification process by calling for ID and address proofs in order to tighten security and curb the menace of terrorists.
“The department has drawn up an extensive methodology after its meeting with industry and representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office on February 13,” the notice said.
For Aadhaar based re-verification, the telecom operator will have to send an SMS to a subscriber with a verification code after establishing that the SIM card is physically available with the person.
