DoT to telcos: Conduct physical verification of bulk subscribers every 6 months, note details of premises

In an effort to prevent misuse of bulk connections by terror outfits and other anti-social elements, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked telecom companies to include details such as latitude and longitude of the premises along with the date and time when the physical verification of such customers is done.

The latest guidelines by DoT come after inputs from security agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) indicated that terror outfits could be using bulk connections issued under false and fake company names to avoid being intercepted during their communications.

In the new guidelines, the DoT has said telcos should conduct the physical verification of such bulk subscribers every six months and note the latitude and longitude of the premises along with the date and time every time.