Commission orders network providers to block pre-registered SIM cards

yinka ogunlami

August 15, 2017 2:54 PM

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered all mobile telecommunications operators to bar the use of pre-registered sim cards across the country.

NCC CEO, Umar Garba Danbatta

According to information by the Nigeria Communications Week, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered all mobile telecommunications operators to bar the use of pre-registered sim cards across the country.

It is believed that the use of these sim cards is what criminal minds use to carry out criminal atrocities all over the country.

NCC deputy director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ismail Adedigba issued the warning at the commission’s 87th consumer outreach in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State. Adedigba stated that serious punishment would be meted out to any network provider who failed to adhere to the warning.

Adedigba, who chaperoned the consumer's outreach, frowned at complaints about the existence of pre-registered sim cards insisting that "I expected to hear that all sim cards are registered. But I have issues with Service Providers here, how did we get these pre-registered Sims to start with?"

"I think your networks should have the total number of available lines and the total number of subscribers in your database, and as such you should be able to know which Sims age registered and those that are not registered and automatically deactivate those that are pre-registered and those that are not properly registered."

"But a situation where are still having pre-registered sim cards with the advancement in technology today, is a surprise to me, and note that a severe punishment awaits any provider whose network is still carrying pre-registered sim cards."

Earlier this year, Africa's largest telecommunication company, MTN, paid a part settlement of the sum of N30 billion out of the N330 billion fine to the Federal government. The fine was compelled on the network providing company for its failure to disconnect unregistered SIM cards as ordered by the Federal Government.

yinka ogunlami