13-digit confusion: SIM for devices will have 13-digits, says Nikhil Pahwa

The telecom department has issued directions to all operators to start using 13 digit numbers for all existing machine-to-machine customers from October 2018. The letter created a buzz that now all mobile numbers will have 13 digits. However, that is not the case. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Nikhil Pahwa, Founder at Medianama discussed this in details.

In the future we are going to have a lot more connected devices than people, he said.

We are going to get a lot more connected devices which is why there are SIMs that are going to be in these devices and therefore what the government has done is try to come up with a 13-digit number for it because then it will be distinct from the mobile number, he added.

For full interview, watch accompanying video…