India: New 13-digit Numbering Plan Introduced for SIM-based M2M Communication Devices

The Department of Telecommunications has issued norms for a 13-digit numbering plan for SIM-based machine-to-machine (M2M) communication devices. However, the new plan, which is to be implemented by telecom operators by July 1, will not impact the existing mobile phone users and is only meant for M2M equipment.

Officials from Bharti Airtel – India’s largest telecom service provider, Reliance Jio and telecom industry body COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) confirmed to TOI that the mobile numbers we have and use remain unaffected by this development.

“There is no change in mobile numbering plan which remains 10-digit. BSNL is preparing for machine to machine communications where in 13-digit numbering scheme shall be used to connect billions of machines,” a company spokesperson said. However, the SIM cards currently in use for M2M devices that have 10-digit numbers will have to be migrated to the 13-digit plan between October 1 and December 31. The spokesperson was quoted on The Indian Express.

The move from the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) came as the operators have started offering SIM-based M2M services to enterprises across verticals in the form of smart electricity meters, vehicle tracking and fuel monitoring system and traffic management solution.

This technology leverages connected devices to remotely work or talk to each other via a wireless network.

What is M2M Communication?

M2M or Machine-to-Machine communication can be described as the interaction between devices and machines (it could be airplane, ship, connected cars, or bicycle) that are connected to the internet and to each other. The M2M SIM card is required to connect these devices to the internet.