Airtel starts Aadhaar based verification process

Telecom network operator Bharti Airtel has kicked off Aadhaar based e-KYC, a fast SIM connection verification process, in India.

Aadhaar based e-KYC solution is a paperless verification method approved by the India Government to enhance customer experience and improve the process of verification.

The solution is live in company operated stores across Delhi NCR and the company plans to roll out the solution across the country over the next few days.

Bharti Airtel said the solution will enable instant activation of Airtel mobile connection and thereby enhance customer convenience and experience. The digital verification, which is fully secure, will also eliminate paperwork and benefit the environment.

Earlier in the day, Vodafone India said it will offer a new SuperNet SIM connection if the customers know their AADHAR number as part of new verification norms. Vodafone need customers fingerprint to confirm the requisite Know Your Customer (KYC) norms to issue a SIM card to both new prepaid and postpaid connections in India.

Vodafone will issue new SIM cards at its 4,500 plus Vodafone stores and Vodafone mini stores across the country for a new connection. Vodafone said the new offer will be effective from Wednesday, 24 August, 2016.

“Aadhaar based e-KYC for a mobile connection is a milestone for the telecom industry and will enhance customer experience through faster onboarding,” said Ajai Puri, director – Operations (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel.

Customers purchasing a new Airtel prepaid / postpaid mobile connection need to submit / verify their Biometrics (iris scan / fingerprints) at the Point of Sale. The details will be instantly matched with the UIDIA database and following the validation, the connection will be activated instantly in the name of the customer.

beginning September 2016, according to a Vodafone India statement, this validation and activation facility will be rolled out in all 10,000 plus Vodafone branded stores in urban and rural areas and also across all multi brand outlets in a phased manner.

Bharti Airtel in a statement said that the e-KYC solution eliminates the need for paper based documentation, which takes time to collate and submit, ensures better confidentiality and privacy of customer information and radically reduces the waiting time for a new connection, leading to an overall superior customer experience.