The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the validity of the telecom companies’ permit to sell international SIM cards from one year to three years. Domestic companies involved in the sale of international roaming SIM cards/ global calling card will now be required to renew their no objection certificate (NOC) every third year after the previous issue has expired. Earlier, these companies had to renew their NOCs every year.

At present, about 70 companies sell international SIM cards in India. Such SIM cards are used by the people travelling abroad.