The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will soon begin the second phase of its ongoing verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration data across all Mobile Network Operator (MNO) platforms.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said Thursday that the commission would also carry out compliance audit of the registration processes.
Danbatta said in a statement that the process was to provide further assurance on the integrity of its SIM registration database.
He said the audit was specifically to monitor operators’ strict adherence the NCC’s Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulations 2011 and the Technical Standards and Specifications issued by the commission in 2011.
He stated that the audit is without prejudice to the ongoing ”backend verification and scrubbing” of SIM registration data already submitted to the commission by MNOs such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile and Mtel.
”The NCC is very sensitive to the fact that the Subscriber Registration Database is a veritable tool being used by security and law enforcement agencies.
”The agencies use the database in the detection and apprehension of criminal elements involved in heinous crimes like kidnapping, financial crimes, armed robberies, banditry, cattle rustling and other crimes which leverage on easy access to the national telecommunications network.
”As such, we are determined to continue to ensure that all SIM cards are traceable to their real owners with the least effort,” he said.
The EVC also said that the verification exercise was a continuation of the NCC’s consistent regulatory interventions to ensure a clean and credible SIM registration database.
