Telcos seek time to regularise SIM registration

TELECOMMUNICATIONS operators have asked Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to allow subscribers a window of time to normalize irregular SIM registration.

This is coming against the backdrop of abrupt disconnection of some telecom subscribers with irregular Sim registration.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that his association has made a representation to NCC on the need for this window of time for subscribers with Sim registration issues and is waiting the Commission’s response.

“We have written to the NCC on what we think should be the process for data collection and disconnection of subscribers. Now that we are faced with these problems, we will continue to deal with them. We referred to the issue NCC raised about invalid and improperly registered SIM cards which we have been directed as should not be activated on any network. We agreed; we have no objections whatsoever. We also agreed totally that all data we collect will be domiciled with the Commission. In essence, whatever data we collect from our subscriber with respect to their privacy, we will ship them to the Commission.

“We do have few concerns about the process and we have recommended as follows: That where SIM registration records are rejected, as a result of invalid records, we should be given a period of two weeks, to notify the subscriber before we disconnect. Because what we are told now is that when we gather the data and send to the central database, once they discover any missing item, NCC asks you to disconnect them.