Foreign SIM-Embedded IoT devices

Trai has issued a comprehensive consultation paper titled “Regulatory Framework for the Sale of Foreign Telecom Service Providers’ SIM/eSIM Cards for use in M2M/IoT Devices meant for Export Purposes”. This paper, dated July 4, 2025, marks an important policy intervention in addressing requests from Indian manufacturers who wish to embed foreign telecom SIMs and eSIMs in machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices intended for export. It seeks to evaluate the legal, regulatory and operational frameworks required to facilitate such sales while safeguarding national security and compliance standards.