Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 29: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Wednesday announced a new regulatory framework to facilitate the transfer of ownership of machine-to-machine (M2M) SIMs between service providers or licensees, ensuring uninterrupted Internet of Things (IoT) services during ownership transitions.
According to an official statement, the framework addresses a key regulatory gap, as there has so far been no formal provision for changing ownership of M2M SIMs under existing guidelines. The new procedure aims to ensure that ownership transfers are smooth, transparent, and fully compliant with KYC and licensing requirements.
Under the new rules, an M2M service user or third party seeking to transfer ownership must submit a written request to the current M2M service provider or licensee, clearly specifying the SIMs involved and the details of the proposed transferee. The transferor must then issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the relevant access service provider (ASP) within 15 days of receiving the request, provided there are no outstanding dues.
The transferee, in turn, must give a formal undertaking accepting all responsibilities, liabilities, and obligations associated with the transferred M2M SIMs—including adherence to all KYC norms and related guidelines.
Access service providers will be responsible for verifying the NOC from the transferor and the undertaking from the transferee. Upon successful verification, they must re-conduct KYC and update subscriber records to reflect the new ownership.
Importantly, the DoT has clarified that each M2M SIM must always remain mapped to a licensed M2M service provider, ensuring that IoT services are not disrupted during or after the ownership change.
The Ministry of Communications said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to protecting end-user interests while enhancing operational flexibility for service providers. The framework, it added, will play a crucial role in maintaining the continuity, reliability, and future-readiness of India’s growing M2M and IoT ecosystem.