The Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has issued a warning to citizens with suspended subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, stating that they risk permanent deactivation if not registered by the end of June.
This directive follows a government deadline for mobile operators to deregister non-compliant clients by March 30, resulting in the suspension of thousands of unregistered SIM cards from their respective networks.
Compliance Deadline and Deregistration
Mobile operators in Namibia met the government’s deadline to deregister non-compliant clients by March 30. As a result, around 519,000 unregistered SIM cards out of 1.86 million registered SIM cards were suspended from the networks.
MTC Namibia and Telecom Namibia, the leading operators, reported significant numbers of de-registrations, with MTC de-registering over 323,000 users and Telecom Namibia canceling more than 191,500 SIM cards.
Registration Deadline and Consequences
The Ministry of Communications has set a deadline of June 30, 2024, for individuals with disconnected SIM cards to register to prevent permanent loss. Failure to register by this date will result in the permanent deactivation of the SIM cards.
The ministry emphasized the importance of compliance with the registration process to ensure continued access to mobile services.
Controversy and Security Concerns
The SIM card registration process has been contentious, with some clients claiming deletion after registration. Human rights groups have raised concerns, alleging government surveillance and intrusion into residents’ privacy. However, the government has defended the registration measures as necessary for security purposes and to combat cybercrime.
Operator Incentives and Promotions
To encourage registration compliance, telecom providers are offering incentives such as free data and voice calls. These promotions aim to incentivize individuals to register their SIM cards before the deadline and mitigate the risk of permanent deactivation. Additionally, operators are closely monitoring the registration process to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Namibian government’s directive to register SIM cards by the June deadline underscores the importance of compliance with regulatory measures aimed at enhancing security and combatting cybercrime.
While the registration process has been met with controversy and concerns regarding privacy, operators, and authorities are working to address these issues and promote registration through incentives and promotions.
Citizens are urged to register their SIM cards promptly to avoid the permanent loss of mobile services and ensure continued connectivity in Namibia.
ALSO CHECK:
- Meta Is Reportedly Fixing Facebook Messenger HD Photo-Sharing Feature
- Microsoft Is Set To Bring Its Xbox Dashboard to the Web
- SunCulture Secures $12 Million to Effectively Expand Solar Irrigation Solutions across…
- Nigerians to Effectively Monitor Government Performance via Upgraded Tracker Platform
- MultiChoice and Canal+ Finally Pens Buyout Deal
