Following the official commencement of Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) cards registration exercise in the country on May 1, this year, two operators among the pack may have stepped up campaigns in this regard.
They are the leading Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators, namely MTN Nigeria and Etisalat Nigeria.
MTN in its own campaign strategies, which came in form of turn-over leaflet, noted that fields marked with (*) are compulsory and encouraged subscribers to fill in the form beginning with their phone number that is, ‘most active’, Personal Identification Number (PIN) unblocked key (PUK), line two and PIN unblocked key.
This was followed by the title circle, nationally, surname, first and middle names as well as marital status of single, married or divorced.
Equally, MTN’s registration form contains gender; male or female, date of birth starting with date, month and year and any other contact number, left thumb, right thumb as well as left and right index, then signature and passport photograph, contact address, town, state, electronic mail.
MTN also made provision for proxy registration which includes surname, other names, relationship, phone and vendor code for MTN use only, with a caution to “See the reverse side for terms and conditions.”
ITRealms Online gathered that the mobile operator advised that the PIN Unblocked Key (PUK) could be obtained on the network by sending ‘PUK’ to 789 from the phone to retrieve the PUK on the phone, mostly for those who may have lost their pack.
On the proxy registration, MTN explained that in order to register an MTN line on behalf of some one else, that is, after completion of aforementioned steps as specified, proxy’s surname and other names, relationship and type of association that proxy has with the registrant, MTN phone number of the proxy before submitting the form.
On the other hand, Etisalat Nigeria used the Short Messaging Service (SMS), to implore subscribers to stay on the network and ensure they register their SIM cards.
An SMS to this effect read: “Stay with the 0809ja family. Register your SIM at any Etisalat shop, dealer shop or designated registration outlets. For more details, visit www.etisalat.com.ng.”
ITRealms Online recalls that last week, NCC made a public statement ordering operators to register subscribers on their networks.
The statement entitled “Registration of SIM-based telephone subscribers” the telecom regulator noted that in furtherance of “its earlier public notice and recent campaign through the electronics media, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, hereby informs all network operators and the general public” on two highlights.
These highlights comprised of the fact that with effect from May 1, 2010, “all subscribers acquiring new SIM cards are required to be duly registered before the SIM cards could be activated.”
NCC noted that the registration would involve capturing of biometric data, which includes digital photographs, finger prints and other basic identification information.
The second highlight by NCC, according to the Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Dave Imoko, who endorsed the notice, registration of existing SIM-based telephone subscribers would commence at a date to be announced soon.
NCC, however, urged the public in the telecommunications sector to note that all telephone operators and or their agents as well as outlets are mandated to ensure strict compliance with these requirements.
At present, Nigeria has several mobile operators with five on Digital Mobile platform, including MTN, Zain, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTel), Glo Mobile Limited and Etisalat Nigeria.
This is in addition to eight operators licensed under the unified access service since 2006, among others awarded hitherto.
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