The Nigerian Communication Commission has issued out a new set of guidelines that must be followed before a sim replacement can be carried out successfully.
The guidelines which are intented to set a standard for the replacement of stolen, damaged or faulty cards were made available a week ago in a bid to curb unauthorized sim replacements. Below are the new guidelines/regulations.
- Any SIM to be replaced must have been registered in accordance with the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulation 2011.
- Also, any subscriber, wishing to replace a SIM card must be present in person or authorise a proxy with a Letter of Authority. An exception to this is made for those replacing their SIM card through a secured online portal.
- In addition, a subscriber must present a valid photo identification such as driver’s licence, national identification card, voter card or an identification letter from a traditional ruler and religious leader.
- A subscriber is also required to present the SIM pack or other evidence of direct purchase/ownership of the SIM card in question and where that is not available, an affidavit, attesting to the ownership and loss of the SIM, must be provided.
- A proxy will be required to provide an affidavit deposed to by the owner of the SIM, copy of the deposed subscriber’s means of identification and valid photo identification of the proxy. The proxy shall be required to fill the standard form.
- The network service provider must carry out a quarterly audit of SIM replacement transactions carried out by both its staff and agents and a report forwarded to the commission. All service providers must keep a register of all SIM replacements underneath undertaken for 12 months.
- Online SIM replacement can be carried out either through the NSP’s secured website or self-service terminal. The NSP shall create on its secured website a platform where subscribers can log in to carry out SIM replacement and PIN issued by the service provider.
- The subscriber will however be required to purchase a new SIM card to which the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number of the old SIM card would be transferred.
I think it's high time the security of our sims is taken paramount as going through all this to get back a damaged or stolen sim can tend to be a little bit tedious.
What's your view on this new guidelines, too harsh or just perfect? Hit the comments box!
Jimoh Olajide
A dedicated blogger who puts all his talents in his works. Internet denizen, Music Aficionado, Reader, Technophile, Critic, Contrarian and Game freak!
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