Mobile operators and device manufacturers clash over SIM shortage

Operators want eSIMS to be made mandatory while phone makers say this will push up costs

A disagreement between mobile operators and device manufacturers over e-SIMs has reached the government with the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) asking the DoT to order handset manufacturers to introduce eSIMs, in addition to the physical SIM slot, in all smartphones costing over Rs 10,000.

The reason is the unprecedented global shortage of semiconductors which has severely impacted the supply of SIM cards across the globe and pushed up the price by four to five times. The shortage is not likely to improve before 2024.

The COAI’s proposal has been rejected outright by the Indian Cellular Electronics Association (ICEA).