Still on Sim Registration

The move by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to begin registration of Subscriber Identity Module (Sim) cards is a welcome development that will promote national security.
Though the immediate spin off of the programme would be decline in revenue generation of telecom services’ providers, the long term effect on the country however, will be far reaching and positive.
NCC had in December 2009, announced it would commence Sim card registration this quarter and that valid identification documents like E- Passports, corporate/company or work place identity cards that has Pension Identification /Tax Numbers, student ID cards from recognized institutions as well as drivers license issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) and E-Tax cards, would be required for those seeking registration of their Sim cards.
The registration process will include the capture of the photograph and biometrics of the subscriber and proxy registration shall be restricted to the direct families of persons seeking registration.
What this means is that all prepaid Sim cards would be mandated to have their ownership details registered with the network operators as from March.
The registration process, according to NCC, will last six months, giving users enough time to fill out the paperwork. After the period ends, non-registered Sim cards will be shut out.
But concerns have been raised about abuse of the system by some misguided the security agents who may encroach on the rights of the citizenry in the name of surveillance.
It is expected that the NCC, consumer rights advocacy groups and all stakeholders would form a common front to ensure the rights of telecom users are protected.
Many countries, particularly in the Third World, have attempted the process but have failed in one way or another and this presses home the need for education.
A rush to get all Sim card users register their chips may backfire if the subscribers are not told what they stand to gain from registering their Sims and educated on why that has become very necessary.
As it stands today, while some Nigerians insist that national security has no business in the exercise to let alone instruct telecommunication companies to register all their customers, albeit mandatory.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that the initiative would also address the indiscriminate hawking of Sim cards nationwide.
In some countries identification papers identification of card buyers are required and this has helped the countries control crime.
Registration of Sim card would also curb the prevalent use of cellular communications in committing crimes by enabling law enforcement personnel to track down unscrupulous individuals who have taken advantage of unregistered Sim packs and hide behind untraceable cellular phone numbers.
Accreditation is also needed because security officials can identify the people who make calls or send short message service that may undermine national security.
Currently, lack of information on Sim card dealers and holders has made it impossible for security agencies to conclude telecom fraud investigations.
Apart from the security implications, Sim card accreditation would also create job opportunities including data warehousing, data mining and storage area networks.