NCC Introduces New Rigid Sim Card Replacement Rules

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC yesterday, Tuesday 14th of June announced a new regulation that increases the rigidity of the process of  replacing faulty, damaged, stolen or lost Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards.

 
 Part of the newly unveiled regulations known as ‘Guidelines on SIM replacement in Nigeria’ is the cancellation of the sim swap process by telephone. Any SIM to be replaced must have been registered in accordance with the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulation 2011.

Furthermore, any individual who intends to replace a sim card must make a physical appearance or  authorise a proxy with a letter of authority. An exception to this is made for those replacing their SIM cards through a secured online portal.
 

The subscriber will be identified with a valid means of identification such as driver’s licence, national identification card, voter’s card or an identification letter from a traditional ruler/religious leader.

The subscriber should also provide an original evidence of ownership of the sim.

The Head of Legal Services, NCC, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye revealed the rigid process is to curtail the incessant cases of fraudulent sim replacement by unreal owners.