India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated a major operation to combat telecom fraud, resulting in the deactivation of 34 million (3.4 crore) mobile connections across the country. The latest crackdown builds upon the DoT’s Sanchar Saathi portal initiative, which has expanded to include enhanced mobile security features and fraud prevention capabilities. The operation has led to the blocking of 319,000 (3.19 lakh) IMEI numbers and the disengagement of 16.97 WhatsApp accounts.
The sweeping action continues India’s aggressive stance against telecommunications fraud, following earlier successes where the government blocked over 781,000 SIM cards and implemented an anti-spoofing system that reduced fraudulent international calls by 80 percent. The DoT has recently strengthened its enforcement measures by introducing substantial penalties, including fines up to ₹50 lakh and potential jail time for telecom resource misuse.
The enforcement campaign comes alongside significant technological upgrades in India’s telecom sector, including the modernization of Vodafone Idea Limited’s (VIL) optical transport network. VIL has been actively enhancing its security infrastructure, having recently launched an AI-powered spam detection system to protect its users from fraudulent communications.
Nokia is leading the upgrade and expansion of VIL’s optical transport network across key metropolitan and circle locations throughout India. The enhancement is designed to increase network capacity while preparing the infrastructure for future technological advances, particularly in support of 4G data growth and the ongoing 5G rollout.
“With Nokia’s advanced optical network solutions, we are excited to build an agile, high-capacity and future-ready network that will support India’s digital transformation and drive innovation across sectors,” said Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone Idea Limited.
The DoT’s actions are part of a comprehensive approach to telecommunications regulation in India, which includes measures to address financial stability in the banking sector and strengthen defenses against cyber threats. The initiatives are supported by the country’s Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system, which helps track and block stolen mobile devices through their unique IMEI numbers, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to securing India’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Sources: Latestly
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