The Communications Regulatory Authority of Mozambique (INCM) postponed until the beginning of 2024 the implementation of new rules for registering SIM cards (or SIM Card) for all 15 million subscribers of telecommunications services in Mozambique. Initially, the process should start in the second half of this year.
Speaking to journalists, the Director of the Telecommunications Traffic Control Unit, Adilson Gomes, explained that the decision aims to prevent the process from coinciding with the electoral campaign and municipal elections scheduled for October 11th, as well as the festive season. of the end of the year.
“We believe that the change to the new registration system will happen in the next six months, starting in September 2023. We also intend that this process does not interfere with the political processes that will take place. Let’s let the electoral process pass, including the festive season, so as not to put pressure on citizens. So, we will hear more about the process in the first months of next year”, said Gomes.
The rules are supported by Decree 12/2023 of April 11, which approves the Regulation on Registration of Telecommunications Services. The Regulation establishes standards for the registration process of subscribers to telecommunications services to be observed by operators of these services, their distributing agents and/or resellers, public and private entities, natural persons holding and using communications devices, based on telecommunications services. telecommunications.
One of the new rules is that, at the time of registration, the subscriber must provide biometric data (fingerprints and facial recognition), in addition to valid identification documents (such as identity card, driving license, passport, etc.). The new regulation also requires the registration of communication devices (mobile phones), as well as distribution agents and/or resellers.
The INCM argues that the use of biometrics aims to allow easy identification of perpetrators of crimes in the sector, who nowadays, due to lack of this information, are difficult to recognize. With the new regulation, the subscriber now has a Single Telecommunications Number (NUTEL), to be generated by the INCM for the unique identification of the subscriber throughout the communications ecosystem, regardless of the operator.
Still within the framework of the new legal device, the INCM now has two databases, one containing all the identification information of subscribers, distributing agents and/or resellers, SIM cards and information about communication devices throughout the telecommunications network installed in Mozambique. Another database, called Risk Central (or black list), aims to store fraudulent or suspected fraud information from the aforementioned subjects and also all data on cases of blocking and/or impediments to the use of telecommunications networks.
The Decree that approves the Regulation in question also provides for sanctions on subscribers as well as telecommunications operators in Mozambique. Subscribers who do not comply with the new SIM card registration rules may, among other penalties, be suspected of committing fraudulent acts at the Risk Center, until their effective involvement is clarified, being prevented from having services activated with any operator. .
Operators who violate the rules will be subject to sanctions or fines ranging from 500 to 3000 minimum wages. Agents will be subject to a sanction or fine ranging from 10 to 20 minimum wages.