TRAI will impose a charge on users for having two SIM cards in one phone- viral claim is false

TRAI would not impose charges on customers for holding multiple SIM

In these days most smartphone users have more than two SIM cards. In India, the government permits persons to register up to nine SIM cards under the same identity. Meanwhile, a message claims that if a mobile phone contains two SIM cards, the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) will impose charges for using two SIMs in the same phone.

The caption states that “TRAI will impose fine if 2 SIM cards are used in a mobile phone. The elections are over and a new government has been formed. But a lot has been spent in the elections... Where should the expenses be recovered from?”

Let’s check the truth.

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Fact Check-

We started our investigation by conducting a keyword search on Google and the results led us to a post by TRAI shared on 14 June, 2024 stating that “The speculation that TRAI intends to impose charges on customers for holding multiple SIMs/ numbering resources is unequivocally false. Such claims are unfounded and serve only to mislead the public”.

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Upon further search, we found a press release on TRAI’s official website. According to the statement a report on “Revision of National Numbering Plan’ was published on the website. Moreover, it went on to add that, “Written comments on the Revision of National Numbering Plan are invited from the stakeholders by 04th July 2024 and counter comments by 18th July 2024.”

We also found a report by Timesnownews.com, stating that no such policy is being considered. According to the report, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has clearly said that customers will not be charged for holding SIM cards.