Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued new guidelines allowing the use of embedded SIMs (eSIM).

Mobile users will not need to buy a new SIM card while changing telecom service provider or buying a new connection if the mobile phone has an eSIM.

The eSIM will be installed in the device and details of service providers can be updated in it at the time a customer buys a new connection or changes operator or wants to buy standalone service from a telecom operator like data or calling etc, PTI reported.

DoT decided to permit the use of “Embedded-Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) with both single and multiple profile configurations with over the air subscription update facility, as the case may be, as per prevailing global specifications and standards in order to cater the needs of modern technological developments in M2M/IoT.

The guidelines were issued five days after Reliance Jio, the largest 4G operator, and Bharti Airtel, the largest telecom operator, started selling Apple Watch Series 3 that features eSIM service.

Users of Apple Watch Series 3 can connect their eSIM with the SIM in their mobile and use the services that are being provided on their mobile phone by Jio or Airtel on their smart-watch.

DoT has allowed profiles to be updated over the air to facilitate mobile number portability on eSIMs and to avoid locking of the device by a telecom operator.

DoT has also asked the telecom operators for facilitating services on eSIMs to meet lawful interception and monitoring requirement as well as to ensure that the manufacturer of the device does not tamper with eSIM.

Along with guidelines for eSIMs, the DoT also issued instructions for SIMs that will be used for machine-to-machine communications like alerts sent from car to mobile over low fuel, faulty parts, car theft, remote surveillance of premises, smartmeters etc.

The department has earlier issued direction that all SIMs for M2M communications will come with 13-digit number.

DoT has enhanced number of connections per user to 18 which includes 9 SIMs that can be used for normal mobile phone communications or for use in devices which has slot for them.

The other 9 SIMs can be purchased for M2M communications.

According to the DoT guidelines, device makers will be responsible to complete subscriber verification in case where M2M are required to be pre-installed in devices.

The person or end user will be responsible to update subscriber details if he or she transfers device to other user, DoT said.