Mobile Number Portability: Check New Rules For SIM Card Replacement

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New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to effect a key amendment to the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regulations.

As part of the new rule, TRAI has introduced a seven-day waiting period for issuance of the Unique Porting Code (UPC).

The aim of this amendment is to address fraudulent SIM swap and replacement activities.

The Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, which was issued on March 14, will come into effect from July 1.

TRAI is introducing an additional criterion for rejecting requests for allocation of a UPC.

Under the new regulation, a UPC (number) will not be allocated if the request is made within seven days of a SIM swap or replacement. It will prevent scammers from porting mobile numbers through fraudulent SIM swap techniques.

Cases of SIM swap fraud have been increasing at an alarming rate.

The modus operandi of fraudsters is obtaining a new SIM card for a victim’s phone number, which enables them to intercept calls and messages, and thereafter try financial and personal data theft.

From July 1, a mandatory waiting period after a SIM swap will add an extra layer of security to the MNP process.