Post a comment
The government of Sierra Leone is set to deactivate all Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) cards which are not linked to a National Identitification Number (NIN).
This follows a notice by the National Telecommunications Communications (NATCOM) on Thursday directing all Mobile Network Operators (MNOS) in the country to integrate every subscriber mobile number to the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).
According to the NATCOM, subscribers whose phone numbers have not been integrated to their NIN will be deactivated on all networks. This means such subscribers will lose the opportunity to make calls, access the internet and do other digital transactions.
The statement reads;
“The public is hereby informed that NATCOM/NatCA has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOS) to integrate every subscriber mobile number to the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).
After several engagements with MNOS and NCRA, a technical implementation committee for the NIN-SIM integration has been created.
This public notice serves to prepare the mind of subscribers for the NIN-SIM integration.
On completion of the Applications Programming Interface (API), a two week time line will be given to finish the integration.
After this set time, subscribers whose phone numbers have not been integrated to their NIN will be deactivated on all networks.
Subscribers are therefore encouraged to register/re-register their SIM cards using their NIN in order not to lose the opportunity to make calls, access the internet and do other digital transactions.
While NATCOM/NatCA continues to provide the enabling environment to deepen broadband penetration and strengthening connectivity in voice and data, MNOS are urged to fully comply.”
It is however not yet clear when this directive to take effect.
