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TRAI clears framework for foreign SIMs in export-bound IoT devices
MUMBAI: Sometimes regulation doesn’t tighten the screws, it oils the engine. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended a new, export-friendly framework that could quietly turbocharge India’s machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) ambitions.
In a set of recommendations released this week, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has proposed a dedicated regulatory pathway for the sale of foreign telecom service providers’ SIM and eSIM cards embedded in M2M and IoT devices meant solely for export. The move addresses a long-standing gap faced by Indian manufacturers shipping smart meters, connected vehicles and industrial sensors overseas.
The proposal follows a request from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which had sought clarity on the terms for issuing and renewing no-objection certificates for such SIM imports. After a consultation paper in July 2025, stakeholder feedback from nine respondents and an open house discussion in September, TRAI has now put its cards on the table.
At the heart of the recommendation is a new, light-touch licence titled the International M2M SIM Service Authorisation, to be issued online through an auto-generated, digitally signed process under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Any company registered under the Indian Companies Act would be eligible, with no entry fee, net-worth requirement, bank guarantee or annual authorisation charge. The only cost: an application processing fee of Rs 5,000, with the authorisation valid for 10 years.
TRAI has also proposed limited activation of foreign SIMs within India for testing purposes, capped at six months, allowing manufacturers to validate performance before exporting devices.
Beyond easing paperwork, the regulator has urged DoT to coordinate with ministries such as Finance and Commerce to create a clear, end-to-end framework for both importing foreign SIMs for export-bound devices and exporting Indian SIMs embedded in devices meant for overseas markets.
The significance is less about SIM cards and more about scale. With M2M and IoT now underpinning energy grids, transport systems, agriculture and water networks, the lack of regulatory clarity has been a friction point for Indian exporters. TRAI’s recommendations aim to remove that bottleneck while keeping security concerns in view.
If accepted, the framework could give a quiet but meaningful boost to the Government’s Make in India push, making Indian-built, globally connected devices easier to sell and harder to ignore in international markets.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
