The ruckus surrounding SIM card registration seems to be a never ending story. The recent crimes orchestrated using SIM cards unknown to telecom systems has rolled out a new set of huddles UCC and telecom companies have to jump over.
Back in May 2017, UCC rolled out 8 directives that had to be followed in the SIM card registration process. Even after all the effort to register SIM cards with valid identification documents and deactivating the non registered SIM cards, cases of active non-registered lines surfaced from time to time.
After police retrieving the body of Susan Magara, Cabinet ordered UCC to investigate telecom companies with unregistered SIM cards in use and report
UCC has now put sale and distribution of new SIM cards on a stand still until further notice as it works a way around the mysterious non-registered active lines in circulation. This will be until the commission establishes API connectivity with National Identification and Registration Authority for instant national identity verification.
You won’t be able to buy new SIM cards, register a SIM card or even replace one during this time as UCC has instructed telecoms to put the whole process on halt.Telecoms have been advised by the commission to instantly cease the sale of SIM cards through hawkers, street vendors, street agents and any other establishments that are not licenses by KCCA or other municipals and town authorities.
Currently, telecom companies do not have direct access to National Identification and Registration Authority database. This will require them to acquire and install card readers at their respective service centres to validate national identification details before the activation of a new SIM card.
This new directive will see information instantly verified electronically against the national database maintained by National Identification and Registration Authority.
For all the inconvenienced customers, telecoms are working closely with UCC and National Identification and Registration Authority to implement the necessary technical requirements to enable this process as soon as possible. Sellers who still have stock of SIM cards have been advised to keep them until they get an official communication from the telecoms about any changes.
