NCC demands MNOs, agents, consumers’ compliance with SIM replacement guidelines

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Licensed Agents and Telecom Subscribers have been enjoined to comply with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration, activation and replacement procedures as set out in the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM registration, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

Speaking at the 6th Edition of the Telecoms Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR), the Director Consumer Affairs Bureau of the of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Efosa Idehen said Operators are to ensure total compliance when registering their customers.

The obligation of operators she added, is for SIM card owners to be vigilant and ensure their proper SIM card replacement or activation.

The NCC made the request during a radio-based interactive consumer outreach programme of the Commission’s broadcast under the auspices of the Commission’s Digital Signature flagship radio programme.

The programme, which had NCC officials and representatives of MNOs live on Treasure FM 98.5, Garden City, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend with the theme: “Understanding SIM Replacement Procedures”, had so many issues that bothers on SIM cards outgoing calls clarified.

“As the telecom regulator in Nigeria, our role is to enforce compliance with the extant SIM activation and replacement procedures in order to avoid problems that may arise in the event of stolen, lost, damaged SIMs or the need to upgrade SIM cards,” he said.

The NCC stressed the importance of SIM registration to be curbing identity theft, fraudulent SIM swap and other deceitful activities of criminal elements.

He informed the listeners that, in accordance with the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration, all SIM replacements shall be undertaken by the service providers or their licensed agents in a controlled environment to eliminate the recurrent complaints of inconclusive SIM replacement procedures. He said such experiences have resulted in subscribers being defrauded by cyber fraudsters.

Idehen also advised telecom consumers to be wary of fake SIM registration agents purporting to be working for MNOs with the intent to defraud unsuspecting subscribers. He said one of the antics of such agents is to ask for the one-time password (OTP) forwarded to the consumer for activation of the SIM, especially after the SIM replacement process has been done. He warned telecom consumers to be wary of such scams.

Speaking on the requirements for SIM replacement, the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory in addition to all other criteria stated in the SIM Replacement Guidelines. He declared that the provision is stipulated in the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM registration.

Adinde, who was represented by the Port Harcourt Zonal Controller, Venny Eze-Nwabufoh, explained that using the NIN for SIM replacement is beneficial as it helps in identifying the real identity of a mobile phone user, limiting identity fraud, other network-related crimes as well as improving national security.

The Director of Public Affairs also stated that the public sensitisation on SIM registration generally is in line with the obligation of the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration.

Both Directors at the Commission informed the listeners that the NCC is saddled with the responsibility to oversee the implementation and management of the National SIM Registration Database.