DOT to discontinue phone connections without verification

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) The government today directed service providers in five circles in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Haryana to discontinue all telephone connections that were provided without proper verification with immediate effect.

Stating that there was a flaunting of the license agreement, the Department of Telecom (DOT) said that telephone connections in these circles were provided without proper verfication of subscribers and not as per the terms and conditions of the license.

The DOT further said upon receiving a letter to this effect the owner has to showcause within 15 days as to why appropriate action including imposition of penality may not be taken against the operators for violation of clauses not limited to the terms and conditions of the license agreement.

During the special drive conducted by DOT ,which is the sole licensor, the status of subscriber verification by service provider has been ascertained in compliance to the license conditions and instructions of the licensor from time to time.

DOT said in a note that it has been ''noticed that the company has failed to comply with the license conditions and instructions of the licensor issued from time to time since it has been observed that multiple connections have been issued in the single names by the franschisee of the company by using forged identity/address proof documents.'' The note said the licensee shall ensure adequate verfication of each and every customer before enrolling him as a subscriber.

The licensee company or the operator has to carry out a mandatory special verification for bulk connections, sumbit these information on a monthly basis, maintain a record of check for verification by the licensor, provide details of suspected subscribers, extend active support to vigilance wing and inspect bulk user premises.

UNI RT ARB DB2002