Tuesday , December 3 2024
NCC SIM CARDS REGISTRATION

Revise policy on SIM Cards Registration and Usage, Pantami tasks NCC

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to revise the Policy on SIM Cards registration and usage.

 

The Minister gave this directive in a statement signed by the Ministry Technical Assistant (Information Technology), Dr Femi Adeluyi today.

According to the statement, the directive is in line with the Powers of the Minister as stated in Section 25(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003- “the Minister shall, in writing, from time to time notify the Commission or and express his views on the general policy direction of the Federal Government in respect of the communications sector.”

In his words, “The revision of the Policy is based on the feedback received from the security agencies following the successful revalidation of improperly registered SIM cards in September 2019 and the blocking of those that failed to revalidate their SIMs.

The updated Policy is expected to include the following provisions, amongst others:

(i) Ensure that the National Identity Number (NIN) becomes a prerequisite for Nigerians registering new SIM cards (while for foreigners, their passports and visas should be used), while already registered cards are to be updated with National Identity Number (NIN) before 1st December, 2020;

(ii) Ensure that only fully accredited agents support the SIM card registration process without pre-registering SIM cards themselves, while the eventual registration should be done by the operators;

(iii) There should be a maximum number of SIM cards that can be tied to a single individual, possibly a maximum of 3;

(iv) Ensure that no unregistered SIMs are ever allowed on mobile networks;

(v) Ensure that subscribers can easily check the number of SIM cards registered to their name, along with the associated phone numbers and networks;

READ ALSO: Telcos, CBN moves to abolish SIM card Swap

SIM registration in Nigeria among most invasive in the world – Report

NCC Insists SIM Card Registration is Mandatory – Holds Sensitization …

(vi) Ensure that mobile network operators fortify their networks against cyberattacks and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR); and

(vii) Ensure that SIM cards that have been used to perpetrate crimes are permanently deactivated.

The NCC is to provide the Honourable Minister with progress reports on the implementation of the revised Policy.

About Bukola Olanrewaju

Check Also

Stars, Smiles, and Surprises: Highlights from the TECNO SPARK 30 City Tour 

Ikeja came alive on Friday, November 15, as the TECNO SPARK 30 city Tour brought …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *