TheNewsGuru

Tag: SIM Cards

  • BREAKING: FG orders MTN, Glo, Airtel, others to block SIM cards not registered with NIN

    BREAKING: FG orders MTN, Glo, Airtel, others to block SIM cards not registered with NIN

    The federal government (FG) has given telecommunications operators, including MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile and others two weeks ultimatum to block all SIM cards that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers (NIN).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and signed by Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs of the NCC.

    According to the statement, the order is following an earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators.

    Recall that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami had earlier directed the NCC to tie the SIM cards of Nigerians with their NIN.

    The directive was contained in a statement released by Dr Femi Adeluyi, the Technical Assistant, Information Technology to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

    The directive followed a summon from the National Assembly on Pantami concerning the role of communication devices in national security.

    However, the Communications and Digital Economy Minister, according to the statement, said there was no improperly registered SIM on the networks.

    He stated that his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no improperly registered subscriber identification module (SIM) be allowed to remain on networks.

    “The Honourable Minister has supported security agencies in their statutory duty of protecting lives and property and this is why his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no improperly registered subscriber identification module (SIM) be allowed to remain on our networks.

    “Based on the report submitted by the regulator (Nigerian Communications Commission) on the 26th of September 2019, there is currently no improperly registered SIM on our networks.

    “In the event of evidence to the contrary, the Honourable Minister will sanction any individual or institution found wanting.

    “Furthermore, Dr Pantami wrote to all security agencies on the 14th of October 2019 asking them to collaborate with the Ministry by contacting us whenever a crime has been aided and abetted through the use of telecommunication devices.

    “No request by security agencies for assistance in the identification of owners of SIMs used for crime has gone untreated.

    “The Honourable Minister also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Nigerian Security Challenges on the 12th of February 2020. It contained details on policies developed by the Ministry to enhance security.

    “In a similar vein, the Honourable Minister has directed the NCC to ensure that they put modalities in place to tie the National Identify Number (NIN) to SIMs, as well as see to it that no unregistered SIMs are sold.

    “He has also directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to significantly scale up the number of monthly NIN registrations.

    “Moreover, Dr Pantami recently presented a Draft National Policy on Digital Identity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which took place on the 11th of November, 2020. The memo was approved and will support in the provision of Digital IDs for Nigerians, thus assisting in the implementation of the Policy to tie NINs to SIMs.

    “The Honourable Minister wishes to assure the Distinguished Senators and Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to using technology to support the growth of our economy and the security of our nation. To this end, we look forward to collaborating with the Senate and security agencies in this regard,” the statement read.

    Implementation of new SIM registration rules – NCC statement

    Following the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.

    The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.

    At the meeting, the need to consolidate the achievements of last year’s SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was exhaustively discussed and all stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.

    To this end, the following decisions were taken for immediate implementation by all Network Operators:

    i.​Affirmation of the earlier directive to totally suspend registration of NEW SIMs by all operators.

    ii.​Operators to require ALL their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records.

    iii.​The submission of NIN by subscribers to take place within two weeks (from today December 16, 2020 and end by 30 December, 2020).

    iv.​After the deadline, ALL SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks.

    v.​A Ministerial Task Force comprising the Minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by all networks.

    vi.​Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.

    The general public is hereby urged to ensure that their NINs are captured in their SIM registration data.

    All inconveniences which might be occasioned by this directive are deeply regretted.

    Signed:

    Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde

    Director, Public Affairs

    December 15, 2020

  • FG using SIM cards to address issues concerning national security – Pantami

    FG using SIM cards to address issues concerning national security – Pantami

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to tie the SIM cards of Nigerians with their NIN.

    This was contained in a statement released by Dr Femi Adeluyi, the Technical Assistant, Information Technology to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

    According to the statement, Pantami awaits the official invitation by the Senate concerning the role of communication devices in national security.

    He thanked the distinguished Senators for their concern and support towards improving national security.

    “The Honourable Minister has supported security agencies in their statutory duty of protecting lives and property and this is why his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no improperly registered subscriber identification module (SIM) be allowed to remain on our networks.

    “Based on the report submitted by the regulator (Nigerian Communications Commission) on the 26th of September 2019, there is currently no improperly registered SIM on our networks.

    “In the event of evidence to the contrary, the Honourable Minister will sanction any individual or institution found wanting.

    “Furthermore, Dr Pantami wrote to all security agencies on the 14th of October 2019 asking them to collaborate with the Ministry by contacting us whenever a crime has been aided and abetted through the use of telecommunication devices.

    “No request by security agencies for assistance in the identification of owners of SIMs used for crime has gone untreated.

    “The Honourable Minister also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Nigerian Security Challenges on the 12th of February 2020. It contained details on policies developed by the Ministry to enhance security.

    “In a similar vein, the Honourable Minister has directed the NCC to ensure that they put modalities in place to tie the National Identify Number (NIN) to SIMs, as well as see to it that no unregistered SIMs are sold.

    “He has also directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to significantly scale up the number of monthly NIN registrations.

    “Moreover, Dr Pantami recently presented a Draft National Policy on Digital Identity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which took place on the 11th of November, 2020. The memo was approved and will support in the provision of Digital IDs for Nigerians, thus assisting in the implementation of the Policy to tie NINs to SIMs.

    “The Honourable Minister wishes to assure the Distinguished Senators and Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to using technology to support the growth of our economy and the security of our nation. To this end, we look forward to collaborating with the Senate and security agencies in this regard,” the statement read.

  • Fight against unregistered SIM cards yielding results – NCC

    Fight against unregistered SIM cards yielding results – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the fight against the use of unregistered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards for cybercrimes and other criminal activities in the country is yielding results.

    Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director of Public Affairs said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Adinde said that the NCC, had through collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), secured convictions for SIM card related offences.

    He said that a Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja and a Magistrate’s Court in Kano convicted seven persons for SIM card registration related offences.

    “The arrest of the suspects followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCC, NSCDC and DSS to strengthen inter-agency collaboration towards curbing the criminal act of registering and selling of pre-registered SIM cards in the country,” Adinde said.

    He said that the use of pre-registered SIM cards gave cover for unwholesome activities like kidnapping, call masking, threat to lives, bullying, armed robbery, identity theft, financial crimes and SIM swap fraud, among others.

    Adinde urged Nigerians to stop the sale, purchase and use of pre-registered SIM cards because it was a punishable offence under the law.

  • NCC disables 2.2m SIM cards

    NIGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) has deactivated 2.2 million improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards from all telecommunication networks nationwide.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, announced this in a statement in Abuja by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr Henry Nkemadu.

    Danbatta said the commission’s efforts in this regard was in line with a key agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen security of lives and property for all Nigerians.

    “We have since initiated the second phase of SIM deactivation based on the ministerial directive. As at today (March 8), we have completely deactivated the remaining 2.2 million lines on the networks.

    “This is contrary to reports by a section of the media, suggesting that nothing has been done with respect to the issue of improperly registered SIM cards.

    “Following the September 2019 ministerial directive, however, the NCC, within a week, intensified efforts by reducing the number of improperly registered SIM cards from 9.2 million to 2.2 million,” he said.

    Danbatta recalled that over the years, the NCC had worked with determination and through various policy initiatives to rid mobile networks of improperly or invalidly registered SIM cards.

    The executive vice chairman explained that this would ensure that the over 184 million registered SIM cards currently on Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) networks had valid data that were traceable and not anonymous.

    According to him, our efforts received a boost, following the implementation of a September 12, 2019 ministerial directive that the NCC should compel service providers to block all improperly-registered SIM cards, pending when their owners

    “As at the time the ministerial order was issued, the commission, through its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement team, had reduced the number of improperly-registered SIM cards on mobile networks in the country to 9.2 million, Danbatta”

    He also recalled that the commission, in June 2019, began the second round of comprehensive verification audit of MNOs’ SIM card registration as part of the commission’s regulatory interventions.

    The executive vice chairman said the regulations were the setting up of the SIM Registration Industry Task Force, which led to several resolutions, including the Industry Working Group (IWG) on harmonisation of SIM registration process.

     

     

  • NCC finally deactivates all improperly registered SIM Cards in Nigeria

    NCC finally deactivates all improperly registered SIM Cards in Nigeria

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has completely deactivated 2.2 million Improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards across Telecommunication networks nationwide.

    The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made this known in a statement signed by Dr Henry Nkemadu, Director, Public Affairs in Abuja.

    Danbatta said that the Commission’s effort in this regard was in line with one of the key agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen security of lives and property for all Nigerians.

    “We have since initiated the second phase of SIM deactivation based on the Ministerial directive and as at today, we have completely deactivated the remaining 2.2 million lines on the networks.

    “This is contrary to reports by a section of the media, suggesting that nothing has been done with respect to the issue of improperly registered SIM cards.

    “Following the September 2019 Ministerial directive, however, the NCC, within a week, intensified efforts by reducing the number of improperly registered SIM cards from 9.2 million to 2.2 million,” he said.

    He, however, said that over the years, the NCC had worked with determination and through various policy initiatives, to rid mobile networks of improperly or invalidly registered SIM cards.

    The EVC explained that this was to ensure that all the current over 184 million registered SIM cards across Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) networks had valid data that were traceable and not anonymous.

    According to him, our efforts received a boost, following the implementation of a Sept. 12, 2019 Ministerial directive that the NCC should compel service providers to block all improperly-registered SIM cards, pending when their owners regularise their registration.

    “As at the time the Ministerial order was issued, the Commission, through its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement team, had reduced the number of improperly-registered SIM cards on mobile networks in the country to 9.2 million.”

    He recalled that the Commission had, in June 2019, commenced the second round of comprehensive verification audit of MNOs’ SIM card registrations as part of the Commission’s ongoing regulatory interventions.

    The EVC said that the regulations were the setting up of the SIM Registration Industry Task Force, which led to several resolutions including the Industry Working Group (IWG) on harmonisation of SIM registration process.

    He also said that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was inclusive to ensure a clean SIM database, adding that the audit exercise was concluded in August 2019.

    “The audit was specifically to ensure strict adherence by telecom operators to the provisions of the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulations 2011,” he said.

    The EVC assured all stakeholders that the Commission would continue to aggressively pursue the national objectives of delivering an accurate database of telephone subscribers in Nigeria.

    He also stated that stated that the SIM data submitted to the Commission was constantly validated for higher efficiency to support the national security objectives of the SIM registration exercise through NCC’s zero tolerance for deviations from the proper registration process.

    “I also use this opportunity to restate the Commission’s commitment to the periodic SIM data audit, continuous compliance monitoring exercise on the MNOs, as well as constant consumer education and engagement against using improperly-registered SIM cards.

    “We will be able to, collectively, address national security concerns, especially kidnappings, banditry, armed robberies, cattle rustling and other crimes associated with SIM cards across the nation.

    This will ensure that all SIM cards are traceable to their real owners,” he added.

  • Pre-registered SIM cards: Avoid trouble, NCC warns

    The Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) has warned consumers to stop buying pre-registered SIM cards because kidnappers and scammers might have used them to perpetrate evil.

    Mr Ismail Adedigba, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, gave the warning on Thursday in Epe, Lagos, at the 37th edition of the Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM).

    The meeting, which had the theme, “Information and Communication as Catalysts for Consumer Protection”, was aimed at giving consumers appropriate information that would ensure protection of their rights.

    Adedigba said that some pre-registered and fraudulently registered SIM cards were being used for fraud and breach of security.

    “Consumers should observe phone etiquettes and desist from buying pre-registered SIM cards to avoid being victims of kidnappers and scammers,” Adedigba said.

    He expressed regrets that some communities were preventing telecom providers from erecting telecom masts in their areas because they believed that there were health hazards associated with erecting masts in residential areas.

    The official explained that radiation from masts was minor and posed no health hazards.

    Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, Director, Consumer Affair Bureau, NCC, said that the commission was determined to empower consumers with appropriate information to protect their rights.

    She said that NCC developed series of initiatives to empower telecom consumers.

    “We are organising outreach programmes across the country; we are also participating in radio programmes to educate consumers on their rights and privileges.

    “Consumers have the right to receive correct information on services they subscribed to and the right to be provided with clear, complete and accurate information in a language that will be understood.

    “These will guide them to make informed decisions on products and services offered to them.

    “Therefore, it is the responsibility of service providers to communicate information to consumers in a plain and simple language,’’ the director said.

    She said that service providers should ensure consumers’ access to information that would assist them in making informed choices,” she said.

     

  • MTN makes part payments of N330bn SIM cards fine

    MTN makes part payments of N330bn SIM cards fine

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said that MTN has paid N165 billion out of the N330 billion fine imposed on it due to its inability to disconnect improperly registered SIM cards.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC said this on Monday in Abuja when MTN Group, led by its Chairman in Nigeria, Dr Pascal Dozie visited the commission.

    In October 2015, the telecom regulator imposed a fine of N1.04 trillion on MTN Nigeria for not complying with government’s rule on deactivation of unregistered SIM cards.

    Also, the fine was imposed on MTN for not disconnecting about 5.1 million improperly registered lines in its network within the stipulated deadline.

    After several appeals and negotiations including diplomatic intervention by the South African government, the fine was reduced to N330billion.

    MTN initially made a commitment payment of N50billion to the government while the remaining balance of N280 billion was to be paid in six tranches in accordance with the agreements between the regulator and MTN.

    “I am happy to inform you that our agreement with MTN on how and when to pay the fine has been adhered to.

    “Just last month, March, we received a cheque of N55billion from MTN as part of the fine payment plan.

    “This brought the total fine paid by MTN Nigeria to N165billion, that is, more than half of the fine

    “It is a whopping sum of money and they have not defaulted and these payments they are making is consistent with the terms of agreement we reached with them,” he said.

    He said that the installmental payment was in line with the terms of agreement reached between MTN and the regulatory body.

    According to Danbatta, the fine is aimed at ensuring that it is not business as usual but to ensure that the rules of engagement are respected.

    “It is also to ensure that the rules governing the telecom sector of the economy is adhered to,” he said.

    The NCC boss said that the commission would continue to cooperate with the telecom company because of its major contributions to the economic and digital growth of the nation’s economy.

    Earlier, Chairman of MTN Nigeria said Nigeria was one of the largest contributors to its market and the visit was to cement the relationship between MTN and NCC.

    Dozie appealed to NCC to auction more spectrums to further open up the ICT space and improve the country’s economy.

     

  • NCC bans roadside registration of SIM cards

    The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has placed a ban on open registration of SIM cards.

    Head of Enforcement Unit at the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Salisu Abdu, made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing journalists after three persons found registering SIM cards in open places were apprehended.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Sanusi said it is now illegal for telecom operators or their representatives to do registration of SIM cards in an open or ‘’uncontrolled environment.”

    According to Abdu, the commission had issued a directive to all telecom operators since November to stop their agents from registering SIM cards under umbrellas and in kiosks effective from February 1, 2017.

    In his words: “SIM registration should only be done in a controlled environment- a permanent building with logos and structures of the operators in place – with identities of the agents doing the registration.

    “We came up with this so we will be able to trace where SIM cards are registered to stem the tide of rising crimes, especially kidnapping and militancy.”

    He further revealed that N5million would be slammed on any dealer or operator who goes against the directive.