Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) recorded over 250 000 SIM card registrations by November last year and the number of registrations is steadily increasing.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) last year announced that mandatory SIM registration would be implemented by mobile service providers in preparation for protecting digital identities from cybercrimes, and to ensure the effective regulation of the technological landscape from 01 January 2023 until 31 December 2023.

Mobile operators however started a voluntary registration process last year, with MTC saying in July that it is undertaking a pro-active voluntary registration campaign for its over two million customers supplementary to CRAN’s efforts.

“We want to offer sufficient time and convenience for our subscribers to register early before the mandatory registration kicks off in January 2023,” it said at the time.

MTC Corporate Communications Officer Fikameni Mathias recently told Nampa MTC is pleased with the turnout thus far. He said they have different teams across the country for SIM registration and the number of registrations is on the increase.

“We are pleased that the nation is responding in large numbers to the CRAN directive to register their SIM cards. Those who have not yet registered their SIM cards are urged to do so before 31 December 2023,” he said.

Asked to comment on allegations on social media that the process is too cumbersome, partly because a police declaration is required, and because some people live in remote areas where they cannot access mobile homes if they are MTC customers, Mathias said SIM registration is a mandatory requirement from the regulator.

He said it is every SIM card holder’s responsibility to ensure that their card is registered within the timeframe specified.

“All MTC mobile homes register SIM cards. We are aware of the customers who live in towns where we do not have mobile homes. As a result, MTC has dispatched teams to remote areas and towns since the voluntary period to ensure that those who cannot make it to towns with mobile homes, can also register their cards,” he said.

To register their SIM cards, customers have to bring along their ID, a police declaration that they are the rightful owner of the number they are registering under their name, and proof of residence.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency