Revised policy for issue/renewal of NOC for sale/rent of International Roaming SIM Cards/Global Calling Cards for foreign operations in India w.e.f. 14.01.2022
The Sale/ Rent of International SIM Cards/ Global Calling Cards of foreign operators in India provide an option to the mobile consumers in India to avail mobile services outside the country without having to pay premium roaming rates. Today, the prepaid international calling card is sold in over 185 countries around the world. In India, such service providers are required to take "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from the Department of Telecom (DoT). As on date the DoT has granted "No Objection Certificates" to 21 firms for sale/ rent of International Roaming SIM Cards/ Global Calling Cards of Foreign Operators in India. The services are generally availed by individuals who intend to travel outside India for a short period of time as using a global/ country specific SIM card is generally much cheaper than to avail international roaming services of the licensed Indian mobile TSPs.
As part of the policy reforms initiated in telecom sector, DOT has issued the “Revised terms & conditions for issue/renewal of NOC for sale/rent of International Roaming SIM Cards/ Global Calling Cards of Foreign Operators in India”. The revised terms & conditions have been finalized by DoT after deliberations on the Suo-motu Recommendations of TRAI on Sale/ rent of International Roaming SIM Cards/ Global Calling Cards of foreign operators in India. The revised terms & conditions strengthens the mechanism to protect the interests of the Indian public visiting abroad and also streamlines the procedures in line with the other licenses/ registrations.