Getting a mobile SIM connection in India has gone online now. After Reliance Jio started of the trend earlier this year, its rival telcos Vodafone and Airtel are now accepting orders for their postpaid and prepaid SIM connection via Amazon in the country.
The telcos have listed their respective mobile plans on the website, which will get delivered to your address (whichever you choose) by the e-shopping marketplace.
Also Read: Reliance Jio’s Now Inviting You to Get 4G SIM Home Delivered
Interestingly, Airtel is asking consumers to pay Rs 200 for its SIM bought via Amazon, while Vodafone is more reasonable, charging Rs 15 without any delivery charges.
The SIM registration process works in a convenient manner for the consumers, but delivery of the SIM is only just the beginning.
Once you’ve done that, Vodafone/Airtel will send their executive to collect your know your customer (KYC) documents, along with your passport-size photos.
What did catch our eye was that the Airtel SIM wants you to submit Aadhaar copy as the proof for his/her identity. While Vodafone has simply stated KYC, which means, it could be any of driving license, Aadhaar or even passport that works for them.
SIM delivery works out effectively, and for people looking to get new mobile connection, they’d have no option but to get them by submitting Aadhaar as their ID document. Existing users of Vodafone, Airtel and Idea will have up to February 2018 to get their numbers e-verified, after which the operators are likely to disconnect your number.
The matter is still being contested in the Supreme Court, and a final word on this matter is expected to be informed sometime next month.
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)