The SIM card registration and replacement blockage may have posed neutral grounds on whether UCC was set to flag all registered sim cards for a fresh new 2017 like exercise but in less than a month, telecom operators have regained full registration and replacement rights with tougher conditions this time around.
According to a letter directed to all telecommunication companies. UCC wants all subscribers information authenticated in real time on the current NIRA database with immediate effect. Having received over 50 biometric scanners from the National Identification and registration authority (NIRA), Telecom companies will rely on the newly acquired card readers to identify subscribers by their original National ID registration details.
Conditions Telcom companies must follow before replacing any old SIM cards
Although cyber related crimes in Uganda are on the rise. UCC’s new conditions to Telecom operators on SIM swaps and replacement don’t favor any city 3rd party registrars who tend to provide quick sim card solutions. Furthermore, telecommunication companies are advised to only perform SIM swaps if subscribers meet the following conditions.
1. Production of a valid letter from the Uganda Police Force confirming loss of the
applicant’s SIM Card.
2. Presentation of an original National Identity Card at an operator’s designated
customer care center. The Operator must retain a copy of the National ID for
each applicant served.
3. The Operator must verify the authenticity of the National Identification Card
using the Electronic Biometric Card Reader machine. The Biometric results must
indicate a match.
4. The Operator must obtain a fresh Photograph of the applicant.
5. The Operator must re-register the applicant for the SIM Card swap/replacement.
While street vendors and regular outlets were banned from selling new SIM cards and carrying out any sort of SIM related registrations, purchase of new sim cards and replacement of old sim cards can only be executed at licensed telecom premises just like MTN shortlisted some of its service centers where you can replace your SIM card from similar to Airtel’s countrywide call.
