KYC (Know Your Customer) criteria, as mandated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), will have to be completed by all Direct to Home (DTH) TV subscribers of Airtel, Tata Sky, Dish TV and Sun Direct, reports LiveMint.

In a new set of rules released by TRAI, the regulator has asked all DTH operators to ensure the identity of the subscriber.

"DTH operator should install the DTH connection at the address mentioned in the Customer Application Form (CAF) only and the address of such installed set top box must be verified by the representative of the DTH operator," TRAI reportedly said in its recommendation.

The new rules also postulate that the DTH TV operator check the customer’s identity by sending a one-time password (OTP) to the registered mobile number. In the absence of registered mobile number, the regulator has mandated collection of a proof of identity document from the customers by the operator.

While the operator is allowed to collect verification documents from the subscriber, the TRAI doesn't allow the operator to collect location data with special location-based services from the Set-Top Boxes

Earlier, Direct to Home (DTH) operators in the country have told the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that there is no need to introduce additional know your customer (KYC) norms as it would increase the financial burden on them.

Tata Sky was reported saying that collecting Proof of Identity (PoI) and Proof of Address (PoA) as an alternative to Aadhar will cause inconvenience and cost to approximately 100 million subscribers present and another 100 million potential future subscribers.