Upgrading SIM from 3G to 4G? Your consent is a must now

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has added a new norm to the existing rules of SIM upgradation from 2G to 3G or 3G to 4G. The existing guidelines came into existence in September 2016. 

As per the new addition, the SIM can be activated only with a clear go-ahead from mobile users and on their request. Under the process, after receiving the request for SIM card upgradation, the telecom company will have to make an interactive voice response system (IVRS)  call on the consumer's number and confirm whether he had requested the upgrade or not. 

If the consumer says that he does not have a new SIM card then the company will have to cancel the upgradation process. As the upgradation process can be carried on only if the consumer has a new SIM card for the same. In the case, where the consumer says that he is carrying a new SIM, then s/he will be asked to enter its number. Meanwhile, the telecom company will have to get the final consent of the consumer on his willingness to upgrade the SIM card. On receiving affirmative confirmation from the subscriber, the operator may initiate the process of deactivation of the old SIM card and activation of the new one. 

During the IVRS communication, the operator will have to inform the consumer that he will not be able to get or send any SMS for next 24 hours after the new SIM card is activated. After the IVRS call is completed, an SMS will be sent to the consumer on behalf of the operator, in which he will be given information regarding the new SIM activation. He should also be informed that the SMS facilities will not be available for 24 hours after the new SIM is activated. 

Watch this Zee Business video

The new norms will put an end to the automatic upgradation of SIM to allow high-value services. Before September 2016, there were cases where the SIMs were automatically upgraded by the operators and the consumers were supposed to pay for high-value service, which was activated with the upgrade.