Telcos Begin Total Disconnection of Unregistered SIM Cards on Wednesday

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to commence the total disconnection of unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards on their networks starting from Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

This move is in accordance with the regulatory orders issued by the NCC and is aimed at ensuring proper registration of SIM cards and linking them to the National Identification Number (NIN).

According to Gbanga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the directive from the NCC is to be followed by all telecoms operators as they are under obligation to comply with the regulator’s orders.

The disconnection will affect all unregistered SIM cards, improperly registered SIM cards, and those not linked to the NIN.

Telecoms operators have already carried out partial disconnection, where affected SIM cards were barred from generating calls, although they could still receive calls from other networks.

The total disconnection implies that all affected SIM cards will be barred from both receiving and making calls.

The Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Reuben Muoka, has confirmed the commencement of total disconnection on Wednesday, emphasizing that there is no going back on the February 28 deadline.

He further clarified that there would be no date extension on the deadline and that affected customers must visit their service providers for proper SIM registration after showing evidence of NIN registration.

Reacting to some media reports suggesting that the court had ordered the NCC to extend the deadline, Muoka stated that the commission was not aware of any such order and that the decision to commence total disconnection of unregistered |SIMs and SIMs not linked to the NIN remains unchanged.

The NCC’s decision to enforce this directive is driven by concerns about security issues such as kidnapping, where kidnappers use mobile phones connected to unregistered SIM cards to make calls and demand ransom before releasing their victims.

The total disconnection of unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards in Nigeria is set to take effect on February 28, 2024, as directed by the NCC.

This move is aimed at ensuring proper registration and linkage to the NIN, as well as addressing security concerns related to the use of unregistered SIM cards.