Cellular Service Providers Face Fines Over Verification Norms

Taking strict notice of the violations in subscriber verification norms by various telecom service providers, the government is planning to impose a maximum penalty of up to Rs 50 crore per circle, which is applicable to operators for licence condition violations.

Various telecom operators including GSM and CDMA operators are blamed for providing quick connections without verifications to capture more subscribers would be seen as a violation of the licence clauses.

Now all operators have time till July-end to individually reply to the government why action, including a penalty imposition, should not be taken against them for violation of the licence agreement.

In 2004, DoT had reiterated and directed all licensees that all telephone connections must be provided only after proper verification of the customers.