TRAI issues new guidelines for sale of foreign SIM/eSIM cards in IoT and M2M devices for export

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued recommendations on the sale of foreign telecom service providers’ SIM and eSIM cards for use in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices meant for export.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) asked TRAI for help under the TRAI Act, 1997, in September 2024 on how to give and renew No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for bringing in and selling foreign SIM/eSIM cards that are used in M2M and IoT devices for markets outside of India.

After that, on July 4, 2025, TRAI put out a consultation paper and asked for comments from interested parties. Nine organisations responded, and the topic was further discussed in an online session on September 25, 2025.

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Why it matters

Energy, transportation, water supply, and agriculture are among the sectors that M2M and IoT technologies are transforming. For their smart meters, connected cars, and industrial sensors to function properly abroad, Indian manufacturers frequently require foreign SIM/eSIM cards.

Exporting devices with foreign SIM/eSIM cards is currently unregulated in India. The recommendations made by TRAI are intended to simplify the procedure while maintaining its security.

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Key recommendations

Companies that want to sell international SIM or eSIM cards for devices like smart meters, connected cars, or industrial sensors for export will need a new kind of approval called the International M2M SIM Service Authorisation.

The approval will be given online, and the certificate will be automatically signed digitally.

Any company registered in India can apply. Most fees are waived, and only a Rs 5,000 application fee is needed. The approval will last for 10 years.

Companies can test these SIM and eSIM cards in India for up to six months.

TRAI wants the Department of Telecommunications to work with the Finance and Commerce ministries to make clear rules for bringing in foreign SIM and eSIM cards for export devices and sending Indian SIM and eSIM cards abroad.