The Minister for Communications and Digitalization Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful says, SIM cards registration exercise deadline would not be extended past September 30, 2022.
According to Ursula Owusu, she had informed the media during her most recent meeting that, the Ministry’s position on SIM registration exercise will not be changed as many individuals are proposing or suggesting.
She explained that, after evaluation at the end of August 2022, it has been determined that starting the disciplinary steps outlined in the National Communications Authority (NCA) press release is prudent.
Additionally, any SIM that has not yet been completely registered will be unable to use voice and internet services.
She categorically stated that, afterward, using unregistered SIM Cards will be more expensive than ever.
Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful indicated that, at a subsequent press conference in September 2022, the full scope of the sanctions will be revealed.
“If you suffer that fate as a result of your own inaction, kindly do not blame your service provider. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” She added.
BACKGROUNDÂ
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has directed telecos to block outgoing calls and data services of unregistered SIM Cards of subscribers across the country.
This was announced in a press statement following an extensive meeting between NCA and telecos to roll out punitive actions against unregistered SIM Cards effective 5th September, 2022.
In the release, the National Communications Authority (NCA), Ghana has outlined punitive actions to be taken against unregistered SIM Cards.
The letter signed by the Director-General of NCA on the directives of punitive actions for unregistered SIM Cards, said, the ongoing SIM Cards registration exercise will end on 30th September, 2022 as scheduled.
NCA has classified the punitive actions under two categories after a comprehensive review and approval of the Honourable Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
NCA further explained that, the some of the punitive measures will be implemented from Monday, 5th September, 2022 while the second punitive measures will effective after 30th September, 2022.
According to NCA, effective 5th September, 2022, there will be re-routing of all outgoing calls to IVR (for a message to be played), before all calls go through everyday.
Also, outgoing calls and Data Services for a sequential batch of numbers blocked for 48 hours (2 days) once a week on rotational basis.
NCA explained that, MNOs shall divide the unregistered SIMs into five (5) batches for the purposes of effective implemention of these punitive measures.
These measures shall exclude blocking of SMS to give defaulting subscribers the opportunity to initiate registration if they so wish.
Subscribers who fully register their SIM Cards within the period they have been blocked will only be unblocked by the MNOs after the 48 hours to avoid the MNOs tampering with their systems intermittently.
Meanwhile, NCA has further directed that, after 30th September, 2022, all unregistered SIM Cards of the MNOs (No registration attempt and stage 1 only) should be blocked.
Also, all unregistered SIM Cards of the BWAs should be blocked after 30th September, 2022.
These actions according to the NCA will fully implemented by the following operators; Airtel Tigo, Glo, MTN, Vodafone, Telesol, Surfline and Busy.
Read below, NCA’s full statement on the punitive actions.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
