Reliance Jio has reportedly paused its plans to introduce express home delivery of SIM cards, following regulatory concerns raised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The move comes in the wake of a similar initiative by Bharti Airtel being blocked, signaling increased scrutiny over telecom services involving remote KYC processes.

Background: Jio’s Proposed SIM Delivery Rollout

According to recent reports, Reliance Jio had planned to launch a new service on April 25, 2025, which would allow customers across India to receive SIM cards delivered directly to their homes. The initiative was expected to offer users the convenience of acquiring a new mobile connection without visiting a retail outlet.

In a letter sent to DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal on April 16, Jio detailed its proposed launch and outlined the operational mechanism of the service. However, the telecom major has now shelved these plans indefinitely.

Airtel’s Attempt with Blinkit Sparks Regulatory Pushback

This development follows a similar case involving Bharti Airtel, which partnered with Blinkit in April to provide 10-minute delivery of SIM cards for a service fee of ₹49. Customers were required to perform a self-KYC (Know Your Customer) authentication after receiving the SIM cards, enabling activation of both prepaid and postpaid connections.

Airtel’s service was initially rolled out in 16 cities across India on April 16. However, it was suspended just two weeks later—on April 30—after the DoT objected to the post-delivery KYC process. The department cited national security concerns, emphasizing that KYC verification must be completed prior to the issuance of SIM cards.

DoT Tightens KYC Rules for Telcos

Following the Airtel incident, the Department of Telecommunications issued a broader directive to all telecom operators across India. The new regulation mandates that Aadhaar-based KYC authentication must be completed before delivering any SIM card to customers. This directive aims to prevent misuse of mobile connections and reinforce national security protocols.

As a result of these regulatory changes, Jio promptly halted its own home delivery initiative to remain in compliance with DoT guidelines. There is currently no official statement from Jio regarding whether the service will be revived with updated protocols.

Airtel to Revamp Delivery Strategy

Meanwhile, Airtel is reportedly in the process of reworking its express SIM delivery plan to align with the DoT’s requirements. Although the telecom giant intends to resume the service, it has not provided a specific timeline for relaunch.

Conclusion:

The recent developments highlight an increasing focus by Indian authorities on ensuring secure and compliant telecom operations, especially in light of digital initiatives like express SIM delivery. While the convenience factor is undeniable, the priority remains safeguarding customer identity verification through rigorous KYC processes.

With telecom operators like Jio and Airtel pausing or revising their plans, the industry may soon see new frameworks emerge that balance user convenience with regulatory compliance and national security.