Andrew Bonwick
Vice President of Product Development at Relm Insurance
Madhav Sheth
CEO of Ai+ Smartphone
Stephen Rose
CEO Render Networks

Vodafone Idea, Airtel and Reliance Jio might propose digital customer acquisition process to stall further decline in sale of mobile connections as the country battles the COVID-19 outspread. According to a Economic Times report on Friday, the Indian telecom operators have managed to add only 500,000 new customers in March. It was said that the telecom operators normally add around 2.5 million to 3 million subscribers each month. With India still under the COVID-19 lockdown that is set to last at least until April 14, telecom operators seem to have devised the plan to acquire new customers electronically.

Telecom Operators Devise Plan to Acquire New Subscribers Through Contactless Process
The report said that the telecom operators are planning to seek the necessary approvals from the respective government departments. It is said that the telecom operators are working to make sure “there is consensus on the ways to ensure all e-KYC (electronic-know your customer) parameters can be securely met digitally.”
A spokesperson for Vodafone Idea has told the publication that the company is establishing a digital acquisition process that would let potential customers to join its network digitally.
Further, the publication cites an unnamed top industry executive who suggests that the telecom operators might approach the government once the carriers have an electronic solution that meets e-KYC parameters at their disposal. The solution would include authenticating customer’s identity and address securely along with letting customers upload their photos online meeting government’s criteria without them visiting a store.