NCC instruct Telco’s to bar lines with unverified NIN – 2024
The National Communication Commission (NCC) has commenced the formalization of the telecommunications industry. To this effect, they have mandated telecom operators to bar lines that are not linked and verified with the National Identification Number (NIN).
This information was made available through a corporate notice supplied by MTN Nigeria to the Nigerian Exchange Limited. The notice clearly indicated the NCC’s instructions, which were aimed at clarifying the set timelines for the complete execution of this important regulatory initiative.
The NCC’s instructions give strong emphasis on making modifications to the operations of the telecommunication sector to conform to the national verification identity framework. By barring the lines that are not linked to NIN, the NCC seeks to enhance the security and responsibility of the industry.
This such development marks the second phase of line barring that goes beyond the limitations put in place in December 2020. In this phase, customers had been allowed to make calls, but no other services were operational.
However, the current directive is much broader in scope, which leads to barring customers from all forms of telecommunication services like internet browsing, calls, and even text messages.
This is aimed at ensuring that all loopholes are closed and the identity verification process is thoroughly conducted, leading to enhanced security of telecom subscribers.
The Anticipated Consequences For Telcos
Telecom companies suffered a loss of over 20 million subscriptions during the initial round of NIN-SIM linkage in December 2020. By August, they had over 200 million active subscriptions, so there was a way to recover.
However, the new restrictions imposed by the NCC concerning the second phase of line barring put these numbers in jeopardy again. Like before, it foreshadows the possibility of extensive line barring or restriction.
Proposed Solutions
Keeping in mind the directive, there has been an increase in the efforts to improve the capacity of service gateways and speed up the SIM-NIN linkage in telecom companies. They have stated that subscribers will adhere to the NCC directive, and they are working with NIMC to expedite the verification of NINs.
Further, there is a notice sent out by Telco operators to the subscribers that states those who have not yet linked their NIN to their line should rush to the nearest outlet or take advantage of the digital modes of communication before it gets too late.
There are also no restrictions imposed on people willing to get a NIN, meaning they can go to any of the NIMC’s centers within the country.
Resolving Old Issues
The reason for the new line barring is to rectify issues from the earlier strict policies and control systems, when people linked SIM cards using random or invalid eleven-digit numbers and others’ NIN. Under the standing NCC order, those SIM cards are to be barred since they do not have a valid user identity.
The last date for linking the lines is February 28, 2024. People who still possess non-registered SIM cards will be barred from using all telecom services after this date.
Moreover, the NCC has equally stated that phone lines that require an NIN verification should be disabled on or before the 29th day of March in the year 2024.
In addition, the same deadlines were mentioned for situations in which five SIMs or greater were registered under one unverified NIN. Also, the NCC said that if less than five SIM cards were registered under the unverified NIN, those SIMs should be disabled on the 15th of April in the year 2024.
This aligns with the NCC’s objectives of improving security and proper end-user verification in the telecom industry.
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