24 days to deadline for mandatory SIM card registration!

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) herewith informs all stakeholders that the deadline for mandatory SIM card registration is on 31 December 2023. Furthermore, SIM card registration is a national initiative aimed at facilitating the investigation of crimes committed with the aid of telecommunications devices
and enhancing e-commerce activities and online trading.

Moreover, there are also benefits and use cases that are directly facilitated by the registration of digital identities. There has been an increase in the use of digital and/or online services, providing opportunities for Namibians to embrace virtual teaching and learning, mobile banking, online shopping, just to mention a few.

SIM Card Registration Statistics 15 June 2023:

Approximately 2,760,804 active SIM cards across all licensed networks in Namibia, of which 795,991 SIM cards were registered, signifying a 29% registration rate.

30 September 2023:
Approximately 2,789,580 active SIM cards across all licensed networks in Namibia, of which 924,453 were registered, signifying a 33% registration rate.

30 November 2023:
Approximately 2,436,367 active SIM cards across all licensed networks in Namibia, of which 1,043,144 were registered, signifying a 43% registration rate.

“There has been a substantial increase in SIM card registrations since 30 September 2023, rising from 33% to the current 43% as of 30 November 2023. This indicates a positive trend in SIM card registration across various operators, highlighting an encouraging progress within the review timeframe,” stated Mrs. Emilia Nghikembua, Chief Executive Officer, CRAN.

The SIM card registration conditions mandate users to register their SIM cards with their mobile service provider. Nghikembua states that unregistered SIM cards will be suspended for three (3) months after 31 December 2023. If a customer attempts to use the service during suspension period, they will not be able to use
the service and will simply receive a warning message.

” During the three-month suspension period, the service may be reinstated, and the customer can retain the mobile number linked to the SIM card, once the customer provides the necessary information for SIM card registration. If the suspension period expires without registration, the mobile service provider will cancel the service and number. The customer must then purchase and register a new SIM card, which shall result in the customer losing the previous mobile number,” added Nghikembua.

Nghikembua urges ICT consumers to register their SIM cards before 31 December 2023 and not wait for the three month suspension period. This will ensure that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consumers continue enjoying the full benefits of ICT products and services.