NCC warns telcos against flouting SIM card replacement guidelines

The Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) has warned Mobile Network Operators and their agents to desist from flouting Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) replacement guidelines or face serious sanctions.

The NCC who gave the warning at the 6th Edition of the Telecom Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR) with the theme: “Understanding SIM Replacement Procedures,” said Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and their licensed agents and telecom subscribers are obliged to always comply with the SIM registration, activation and replacement procedures as set out in the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration.

The programme featured NCC officials and representatives of MNOs live on Treasure FM 98.5, Garden City, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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The Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Efosa Idehen, said operators are to ensure strict compliance when registering their customers.

Idehen said SIM card owners also have the responsibility to be vigilant to ensure that they are properly captured either for new SIM activation or SIM replacement.

He said, “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.”

Idehen said flouting SIM registration has implications for personal and national security.