Checks on prepaid mobile users names and addresses is not proving easy despite the scale in which illegal connections have recently come to light. The Department of Posts (DoP) and cellphone companies are currently debating how much should be paid to postmen who verify pre-paid subscriptions.

All is not lost yet, since the two top telecom associations COAI and AUSPI are putting their weight behind the effort, but mobile companies are increasingly uncertain about how effective the steps taken this far will be.

Telecom industry sources said that a pilot project in which the DoP appointed postmen to round up the subscriber’s names and addresses, the success rate did not cross 1 per cent.

In April, cellcos had decided to ask the Department of Posts (DoP) to verify subscribers at a cost. These discussions are now cruising towards a sand bank since the DoP has demanded Rs 30 for every verification, but mobile firms only want to pay Rs 15-20.

This suggestion has been turned down by the DoP. But facing increasing pressure from the government on this matter, the Apex Advisory Council for Telecom in India (ACT) on Thursday wrote to all telecom companies asking them to consider the ‘‘finally indicated’’ offer at Rs 30 per verification.

ACT is an association formed by all mobile service firms only to verify subscriber’s identity. It has the COAI and AUSPI heads on board. The firms say that they are keen on verification but would prefer if the government does the job using mass ID cards. The onus by law, however, does falls on companies.

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