Telecom Namibia deactivates almost 200,000 unregistered SIMs

Namibian state-owned telecommunications operator Telecom Namibia (TN) has deactivated 191,598 unregistered prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.

The deactivation came into effect from April 1, 2024, following directives from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), which had decided to extend the registration process to March 31, 2024, following the initial deadline of December 31, 2023..

"This action aligns with the recently implemented SIM card registration regulations mandated by CRAN. As of March 31, 2024, TN's records indicated a total of 442,410 active mobile subscribers," said TN spokesperson Nomvula Kambinda.

"Following the deactivation, TN will maintain a base of 250,812 registered prepaid subscribers," she continued.

She said customers with deactivated SIM cards, however, still have the option of visiting TN Teleshop to complete the registration process.

"TN prioritizes both regulatory compliance and customer data security. The deactivation process underscores TN's unwavering commitment to adhering to the CRAN-mandated SIM card registration regulations and safeguarding consumer privacy," Kambinda continued.

She added that the process of deactivation involved transitioning these cards to a "two-way block" status, effectively preventing them from initiating or receiving calls, texts or data services.

The deactivation of unregistered SIM cards came into effect on April 1, 2024, following a directive from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN). (Source: Freepik)

Namibia's SIM card registration drive began in mid-2022. The government required all SIM cards to be linked to a Namibian ID, passport or any other official identity document issued by the Namibian government or a foreign country, with the aim of finalizing the process by the end of 2023.

There were some complaints that local operators were also asking users to register with their biometric data, but CRAN later advised that biometric data capture is not required for SIM registration, though users can still voluntarily share biometric information.

African SIM registration trend

Namibia is following several African countries that have imposed SIM registration regulations.

Countries like Lesotho, Ghana and Mauritania have mandated subscribers to register their SIMs, arguing that they are part of efforts to curb SIM fraud.

However, countries like Nigeria and Tanzania have pushed back their SIM registration deadlines several times.

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In April 2023, the Regulatory Authority for Communications of Mozambique (INCM) announced it would impose new rules for registering SIM cards for the country's 15 million telecom service subscribers over the next six months.

*Top image source: Freepik.

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa