There are indications that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is holding a meeting with the executive officers of major telecommunications companies over persistent breach of national security with pre-registered SIM cards.
@NgComCommission in a meeting now with @MTNNG @GloWorld @AirtelNigeria @9mobileng @ntelng on the menace of Pre-registered #SIMCard
— Tony Ojobo (@TonyOjobo1) October 30, 2017
According to the Nation Newspaper, the meeting was called in response to pressures placed on the commission by the recurring incidence of crimes associated with pre-registered SIM cards across the country. The report indicated that “the commission is believed to be bothered by the grave security implications and the distortions that may occur in the 149 million SIM database. It is set to impose not only the MTN type sanctions but will now go after the executives of culprit operators, who might face prosecution.”
@NgComCommission going to apply sanctions on any #MNO whose pre-registered #SIMcards are in use or available with vendors on the streets.
— Tony Ojobo (@TonyOjobo1) October 30, 2017
While this a laudable step, our only concern is that NCC appears to be applying the same drugs for the challenge, all over again.
@NgComCommission sets up industry Task Force to come up with modalities to address the menace of Pre-registered #SIMcards within six weeks
— Tony Ojobo (@TonyOjobo1) October 30, 2017
@NgComCommission Reads the Riot Act on the sales of Pre-registered and improperly registered #SIMcards by #NetworkOperators
— Tony Ojobo (@TonyOjobo1) October 30, 2017
The tweets above (posted as feeds from the meeting) indicates that the commission is deploying the same tactics that have been unable to rid the system of this malpractice. The big question is how effective will it be this time around?
Recall that NCC had, through its Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement team, vigorously pursued agents selling pre-registered SIM cards and imposed sanctions and fines on the operators. To this end, joint raids with the security agents were carried out on pre-registered SIM cards selling points in Kano, Jigawa, Abuja, Lagos and others. But, the commission is obviously adopting new measures.
The Nation also reported that the commission last week slammed N11 million fine on Airtel, N10 million on 9Mobile, N10 million on MTN and N5.8 million on Glo for “improperly registered and fully activated Subscription Media (SIM cards)”.
What end will this lead this time?
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
