Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), state-run telecom major, has introduced alternate digital KYC (know your customer) procedure for new customers across different circles. Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL is quoted in a PTI report as saying, "We have conveyed that we have launched the new system across all our circles and it has stabilized". The company has informed about the roll out of the new KYC system to the Department of Telecom (DoT).

Other telecom companies including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea too have initiated the process of rolling out 'alternate digital KYC' procedure for issuing new connections that will be replacing the Aadhaar-backed electronic verification process.

In the current regime, as per Vodafone Idea remarks the DoT has allowed provisional launch of digital KYC. Further, the private telecom player confirms that its new digital KYC plan is being launched on a nation-wide basis.

Reliance Jio also gave its clarity on the alternate digital KYC process and as per sources it will soon roll out its plan. Another telecom major Airtel has begun with the process of introducing new digital KYC in some of the circles that include Delhi, UP (West) and UP (East) and soon will extend to other circles.

Nonetheless it remains unclear as to whether or not, telecom operators are still going by the Aadhaar eKYC process for verifying new customers. Until the alternate digital KYC is in place, telecom service providers have asked the government to provide some relaxation on the premise and allow them to use Aadhaar-backed eKYC till November 20.

The new digital KYC process is being rolled out by telecom companies after the Supreme Court verdict in September on Aadhaar that puts curbs on using Aadhaar for the purpose of authentication by private players in the absence of a legal provision.

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