Latest News | DoT Allows Telcos to Digitise CAFs; Subscribers May Soon Get to Update Their Data Online

New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Telecom operators have been allowed to digitise customer application forms, a move that is expected to ease updation of subscribers' data.

The provision also frees telecom operators from storing paper customer application forms (CAFs) in warehouses.

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"Telecom service providers (TSPs) are permitted to store the digitally scanned coloured copies of the paper based CAF documents. Digitally scanned copies of the CAF documents must be maintained for all the active customers," the Department of Telecom guidelines for digitisation of paper CAFs said on Monday.

The CAF documents comprise CAF along with proof of identity and address documents.

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Telecom operators will have to store digitally scanned copies of CAF documents for a period of three years in case of migrated and disconnected subscribers.

"Paper CAF documents can be destroyed after digitisation unless directed otherwise by the licensor/law enforcement agencies/courts," the guidelines said.

The current provision of storing paper CAF documents in warehouses of TSPs is dispensed with, and the warehouse audit of paper CAF documents is not required, DoT said.

Telecom industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Director General SP Kochhar said these guidelines are part of a landmark decision which will help streamline processes for the service providers of the country.

"It is a hassle-free environment friendly solution for service providers as well as consumers who will now be able to access information on a digital platform and renew or create changes based on the latest information with ease.

"All the associated documents will be uploaded and stored in an orderly manner online and it will result in creating a data-base which will simplify doing business for service providers," Kochhar said.

Telecom CAFs are very important documents and penalties in the range of Rs 1,000-50,000 per form are imposed on telecom operators if there is any anomaly in the compliance with rules.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)