Niël Terblanché
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a vital reminder to all stakeholders regarding the approaching deadline for mandatory SIM card registration.
The deadline is set for 31 December and the directive is in full accordance with Section 77 of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009).
Katrina Sikeni, Executive of Communications and Consumer Relations at CRAN said that statistics reveal the progress made in SIM card registration over the past few months.
She said that as of 15 June, Namibia had approximately 2,760,804 active SIM cards across all licensed networks, with 795,991 SIM cards registered, representing a 29 percent registration rate.
By 30 September, this rate had increased to 33 percent, with around 924,453 registered SIM cards out of approximately 2,789,580 active SIM cards.
“MTC has the most active SIM card subscribers totalling approximately 2,353,298, of which 799,797 SIM cards are registered to date nationwide. Whereas Telecom Namibia Limited reports 429,732 active subscribers, with approximately 117,585 registered as of 30 September 2023,” she said.
According to Sikeni, Paratus Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd accounts for 5,437 active SIM cards, of which 5,152 SIM cards are registered. UCOM Mobile Namibia (Pty) Ltd stands out as having registered all of its 1,113 active subscribers.
“The current SIM card registration rate of 33 percent as of 30 September may be attributed to, among other things, resistance from local authorities to avail registration points, power outages in remote areas, and slow customer up-take,” Sikeni explained.
In response to these challenges, CRAN has called upon Regional Governors and Chief Regional Officers to provide free venues for SIM card registration in local authorities and assist with information dissemination and community awareness.
It’s essential for users to register their SIM cards with their respective mobile service providers, as unregistered SIM cards will be suspended for three months after 31 December. During this suspension period, customers attempting to use the service will receive a warning message but won’t be able to use the service.
“During the three-month suspension period, the service may be reinstated, and the customer can retain the mobile number linked to the SIM card, once the customer provides the necessary information for SIM card registration. If the suspension period expires without registration, the mobile service provider will cancel the service and number. The customer must then purchase and register a new SIM card, which shall result in the customer losing the previous mobile number,” Sikeni clarified.
Namibia’s mandatory SIM card registration aligns with international best practices, bringing the nation in line with 157 other countries that have already implemented this measure.
The advantages of SIM card registration include aiding crime investigations involving mobile devices and providing consumers with a digital identity. Additionally, it enables increased access to digital and online services, supporting virtual education, mobile banking, and online shopping.
Consumers can register their SIM cards with their subscribed service provider by providing their full name, proof of residential address, and identity number through a copy of their Identity Document or passport.
According to Sikeni, it is crucial for both Namibian nationals and foreigners during their stay in Namibia to adhere to the SIM Registration Conditions.
She appealed to all consumers to register their SIM cards before the 31 December deadline to fully enjoy the benefits of products and services and avoid the risk of losing their numbers.
