FG to tightens rules on multiple SIM cards ownership

The federal government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission has said it’s working on new rules that will soon be determining the number of phone lines an individual can use.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Patami who disclosed at the weekend, said a new policy was in progress that would ensure that existing subscribers of telecommunications services who want new lines, must give a detailed explanation of why their request for new lines should be granted.

Patami maintained that henceforth, individuals who already had phone lines must be made to explain why they were requesting new SIM cards.

Prior to this development, the Federal Government had disclosed plan to beef up security in the country.

Following the discovery of a subscriber that registered 57 SiM cards, all bearing his name, from the same network, a development Patami said posed security challenge, the federal government said the need to review the policy on SIM card registration cannot be overemphasized.

According to Patami, in order to ensure Nigeria is safe for everyone to live, NCC will determine whether the number of mobile phone lines that could be used by an individual should be three, or more, or less.

“In many nations, when you have one SIM card, if you need another one, you must provide justification for that. We should make it flexible. If there is need for more, there should be justification,” Patami was quoted by Punch saying.

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