Voice and SMS Restrictions Proposed for 60 Million IoT SIM Cards

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Russian authorities are considering a new set of measures aimed at combating phone and internet fraud, which could impact the market for M2M SIM cards and digital eSIMs, according to the business daily Kommersant. Sources within the telecommunications industry report that relevant government agencies are exploring tighter regulations for these technologies to reduce fraudulent schemes and spam messages.

One proposed change involves classifying M2M SIM cards as a separate category of communication devices. These cards are used for data exchange between machines, such as in ATMs, sensors, monitoring systems, vehicles, and other equipment. Users of these solutions may face additional identification procedures.

Another potential measure is limiting the functionality of M2M SIM cards. Specifically, the authorities are considering banning voice calls and SMS messages to prevent their misuse. Industry participants believe this could complicate the use of M2M cards in mass calling scams and other fraudulent activities.

Separately, discussions are underway regarding digital eSIMs. One proposal is to prohibit remote registration of eSIMs by Russian citizens from abroad. This measure is intended to enhance user identification and reduce opportunities for abuse.

Sources in the telecommunications sector link these potential changes to the preparation of a third anti-fraud amendment package. The Ministry of Digital Development confirmed that work on a new set of anti-fraud measures is ongoing, but stressed that final decisions have not yet been made and the details of the document are still being discussed.

Experts note that the M2M SIM card segment is currently regulated less strictly than regular mobile communications. These cards are typically registered under legal entities and used in corporate systems. According to industry estimates, around 60 million M2M SIM cards are in use in Russia, representing a significant share of total active connections.

Specialists argue that the main goal of the proposed changes is to eliminate loopholes in existing subscriber identification rules and prevent the use of technical solutions for fraudulent purposes. However, industry representatives emphasize that new requirements should take into account business interests and not hinder the development of Internet of Things technologies.

Discussions on these initiatives are ongoing, and the final configuration of new restrictions will be known after interdepartmental consultations and the publication of the next anti-fraud legislative package.