Telcos Ready to Block Unregistered SIMs Nov 30

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has cautioned that its members are ready to deactivate all SIM cards yet to be registered by November 30, 2022.

In a statement, it said its members, AirtelTigo, MTN and Vodafone, have begun complying with the recent directive from the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization.

On November 11, 2022, the Ministry announced that unregistered SIMs would be blocked, among others.

“On November 11, 2022, the Ministry announced some measures to be implemented by Operators. Since the 20th of November 2022, our members have been blocking data services for all subscribers who have only completed stage 1 (linkage to Ghana Card) but not stage 2 (biometric capture) of the SIM registration process, as directed by the Ministry,” the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications’ statement said.

“The Chamber is encouraging all subscribers who have acquired Ghana cards but are yet to complete stage 2 (biometric capture) to do so before November 30, 2022,” it added.

According to the Chamber, the telcos are obliged by the directive to completely deactivate all subscriber SIMs which have not completed the biometric capture registration step by Wednesday, November 30.

It reminded “cherished customers of the various networks” of how important “using voice, data, USSD, mobile money services and access to emergency services among others” are and stressed that: “Subscribers with Ghana cards can avoid this inconvenience [of deactivation] by completing the registration process.”

The Chamber also stated that since the start of the SIM registration exercise, telcos have invested heavily in arrangements to ensure that subscribers who have their Ghana cards and are ready to register, get registered at any of the several touchpoints across the country.

Furthermore, the statement confirmed Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful’s Communications Ministry’s notice of a special dispensation for citizens who genuinely do not have Ghana cards.

“For those that require some special assistance to carry out the registration exercise, kindly contact the NCA or your Mobile Network Operator.

“We are confident that the sector Ministry and NCA will announce measures to accommodate individuals who genuinely do not have Ghana cards, once ongoing consultations have been completed.

“Our members remain committed to supporting the efforts of all stakeholders to ensure that every customer in every part of the country is able to register their SIM card(s) with the Ghana card,” the Chamber, led by Ing Dr Ken Ashibey, assured.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications is celebrating its 10th anniversary.