The Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), on January 15th 2025 announced an extension of the registration deadline for entities offering Machine-to-Machine (M2M) services and/or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)/Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) connectivity for M2M services. This extension comes after a representation from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), seeking more time for registration.
Key Details of the Extension:
New Deadline: The registration period for unregistered entities has been extended until March 31, 2025.
- This extension applies to entities providing M2M services and WLAN/WPAN connectivity for such services.
- Previously, the deadline was set for January 15, 2025.
No New Telecom Resources: While the registration period has been extended, the DoT has clarified that no new telecom resources (such as M2M SIM cards) will be issued to unregistered entities beyond the original deadline of January 15, 2025.
Suspension of Services Post-March 31, 2025: After March 31, 2025, the services provided by unregistered entities will be suspended. These services, including M2M SIM cards, can only be resumed once the entities submit their Registration Certificate to the DoT.
Final Extension: The DoT has explicitly mentioned that this is the final extension and no further requests for additional time will be entertained.
This extension provides unregistered entities with more time to comply with the regulatory requirements while ensuring that no new telecom resources are allocated to them unless they complete the registration process. Entities currently operating without registration are advised to act promptly to avoid service interruptions after March 31, 2025.
The decision aims to streamline the registration process and ensure that all service providers comply with the necessary telecom regulations, facilitating smoother and more secure M2M operations across India.
