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Telecom businesses who disregard the mandate to disable Subscriber Identity Module cards that have not been linked to National Identity Numbers would be subject to penalties, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.
On Thursday, Reuben Mouka, the NCC’s director of public affairs, informed The PUNCH.
There will be consequences for telecom carriers who do not comply with the regulatory requirement, according to Mouka.
It makes know difference if the telcos have begun complying or not, according to the NCC Director. Linking the SIM cards to NIN is what we have requested.
The directives have been given, and we anticipate result. Therefore, sanctions would be applied if there is any proof of non-compliance.
When asked when the sanctions would start, Mouka replied that “We can’t say this is the time we would begin to start sanctioning.” A regulatory procedure is also necessary for that. However, noncompliant operators will face consequences.
When the deadline of February 28, 2024, expired, the telecom authority had requested in December that telecoms block an estimated 12 million lines that were not connected to the owners’ NINs.
The NCC rejected a deadline extension on Wednesday and restated its position on the issue.
The telecom companies who spoke with Punch were in agreement with the regulation to cut off SIM cards that were not connected to NIN.
Gbenga Adebayo, the chairman of the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, declared that telecom providers would follow the NCC’s instruction.
“Around 12 million SIM cards might not have been connected to NIN,” said Adebayo. Certain SIM cards are compatible with WiFi devices and modems.
“Services will be terminated by midnight today for those numbers that are not correctly linked to NIN, under regulatory guidelines. We will comply, since we stand by that regulatory directive.
When the federal government, acting through the NCC, ordered telcos to stop blocking calls from unregistered and unlinked NINs, the mandatory linking went into effect in December 2020.
Extensions have been made since then, however more than 12 million SIMs are still not linked to NIN.
The FG took the decision to make phone number linkage mandatory in order to improve national security. The goal of the instruction was to increase accountability for those connected to certain phone lines and expedite the identification procedure.
The government aims to make it easier to identify line owners by restricting the registration of up to four SIMs to a single NIN. This will allow for efficient tracking and matching of these numbers.
By holding people accountable for actions connected to their registered lines, the limitation aims to fight crime and strengthen security against illegal operations including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman, addressed the difficulties caused by pre-registered or unlawfully registered SIM cards earlier this month, noting that this has been a persistent problem.
Additionally, he said that the regulation will support the sector by enabling data-driven decision-making.
“You are going to see a change in our decision-making process; we will be heavily reliant on data,” the EVC declared. We will use data to support all of our decisions as much as feasible. Our goal is to minimise subjectivity and make wise choices that will advance the sector.
“We plan to make sure that all of our licensees provide quality services.
Since customers pay for the services and anticipate them to be at a specific quality or point, we shall hold our licensees responsible for fulfilling their licence requirements.
“We must bring smiles to the faces of the people we serve. The NCC is clear in its statement that consumer interests must be protected. They continue to be at the top since that is where values are found. However, while we monitor their operations to determine compliance, the interests of licenced operators will also be maintained.
source: The PUNCH
