The Nigerian Communications Commission on Tuesday unveiled a new regulation that toughens the process of replacing faulty, damaged, stolen or lost Subscriber Identification Module card.An aspect of the new regulation, known as Guidelines on SIM Replacement in Nigeria, is the outright ruling out of SIM card swap by telephone.
Any SIM to be replaced must have been registered in accordance with the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulation 2011.
Also, any subscriber, wishing to replace a SIM card must be present in person or authorise a proxy with a Letter of Authority. An exception to this is made for those replacing their SIM card through a secured online portal.
In addition, a subscriber must present a valid photo identification such as driver’s licence, national identification card, voter card or an identification letter from a traditional ruler and religious leader.
A subscriber is also required to present the SIM pack or other evidence of direct purchase/ownership of the SIM card in question and where that is not available, an affidavit, attesting to the ownership and loss of the SIM, must be provided.
Head of Legal Services at NCC, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, said the tough process had become necessary in order to stop fraudulent swapping of SIM cards by people, who were not authorised to do so by genuine SIM card subscribers.
Akinloye said, “The guidelines are principally intended to prescribe a standard procedure for SIM replacement to be used by network service providers. The guidelines shall apply to all network service providers and to all subscribers, including post-paid and prepaid subscribers.
“A proxy will be required to provide an affidavit deposed to by the owner of the SIM, copy of the deposed subscriber’s means of identification and valid photo identification of the proxy. The proxy shall be required to fill the standard form.
“The network service provider must carry out a quarterly audit of SIM replacement transactions carried out by both its staff and agents and a report forwarded to the commission. All service providers must keep a register of all SIM replacements underneath undertaken for 12 months.”
She added, “Online SIM replacement can be carried out either through the NSP’s secured website or self-service terminal. The NSP shall create on its secured website a platform where subscribers can log in to carry out SIM replacement and PIN issued by the service provider.
“The subscriber will however be required to purchase a new SIM card to which the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number of the old SIM card would be transferred.
