The Indian government has directed all mobile service providers to link their customers’ mobile numbers with their Aadhaar numbers. Idea, one of the major mobile service providers, has been sending messages to its customers to link their Aadhaar with their phone numbers.
Customers who purchased their Idea SIM cards using other documents, such as licenses or voter IDs, will have to verify their phone SIMs again using their Aadhaar card numbers. The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has instructed all operators to verify existing mobile subscribers through the Aadhaar-based E-KYC process by February 6, 2018.
Failure to link Aadhaar with mobile phone numbers may result in deactivation after February 2018. However, customers can link their Aadhaar with their Idea mobile numbers offline. To do this, they need their Aadhaar card or number and their mobile phone.
Customers will be required to complete biometric verification, during which they will receive a verification code, or One Time Password (OTP), on their mobile phones. This code is necessary to complete the process.
To link Aadhaar to their Idea mobile numbers, customers can follow these steps: visit their nearest Idea outlet, provide their Idea mobile number and Aadhaar number, and give the verification code to the Idea store executive. They will then provide their biometrics.
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After 24 hours, customers will receive a confirmation SMS. Replying “Y” to this SMS will complete the E-KYC process. The entire process is free of cost.
For customers in roaming or outstation, the process is similar, but they need to get their Aadhaar verified in their respective home circle. Outstation customers need to provide local referee details in addition to their Aadhaar numbers.
Linking Aadhaar with mobile numbers is a mandatory process, and customers must complete it to avoid deactivation of their services. The process is straightforward and can be completed offline at Idea outlets.
While this may seem like an inconvenience, it’s a necessary step to ensure the security of their personal data and prevent identity theft. Customers can get their Aadhaar linked.
