Telecom sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released an updated set of rules to guide subscriber identity module (SIM) card and National Identity Number (NIN) rules tightening loose ends and introducing self-help measures.
One of the key highlights of the “Business Rules issued pursuant to the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulation in support of the National Identity Policy for SIM Card registration and related activities published in 2022 which is premised on the mandatory use of a NIN” stated that “Record of all recycled SIMs shall be purged of any NIN attached, this is to allow new subscriber register or submit and link a new NIN.
The scope of application of the new rule in a document sighted yesterday at the Commission’s website covered NIN-SIM Registration Database Harmonization; New SIM Activation and Registration; Corporate, Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) activations; SIM Activation for foreigners; Mobile Number Portability (MNP); Churned and Recycled SIMs; and agents and dealers governance.
Under the new rule, corporate new SIM sales/activation shall have a Primary Telecoms Master (Telecom Master) shall be minimum Executive Management Staff while corporate subscribers have the option of also appointing a secondary or operations telecoms master.
It said both Primary & Secondary/Operations Telecoms Master shall be indicated in a Telecom Master Authorization letter.
Machine to Machine (M2M) SIM registrations will only require NIN of the Primary Telecom Master.
Telecoms master authorization letter shall be signed by one or two C-Level staff (or above) of the corporate organization.
The Telecoms Master Authorization Letter shall provide among others, registered names of the Primary Telecoms Master, Official Designation of the Primary Telecoms Master, NIN of the Primary Telecoms Master i.e. Primary NIN, MSISDN of the Primary Telecoms Master (within the corporate account).
It stated however that registered names of the Secondary/Operations Telecoms Master (Optional).
It must also contain official designation of the secondary/operations telecoms master; MSISDN of the Secondary/Operations Telecoms Master (within the corporate account); NIN of the Secondary Telecom Master; Indemnity letter specifying the full responsibilities and liabilities of the Primary Telecoms Master and signed by the Primary Telecoms Master and C-Level staff of the Corporate Organization
A CSV file (or other searchable format) of all associated/secondary SIMs on the same account is provided (not applicable for internet of things (IoT)/M2M). This shall provide all associated SIMs on the account; first, Middle (optional) and last Names of each Secondary User; NIN of each Secondary user i.e. Secondary NIN; alternate SIMs of Secondary Users; Certificate of Incorporation with Registration Number duly verified by Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (not applicable to companies listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange); tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Identification Number (not applicable to companies listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange).
Public sector and government organizations are also to present legal instruments showing evidence of establishment; Verify Primary Telecom Master NIN by matching Communications Service Providers Primary Telecom Master SIM Registration with NIMC records of Primary Telecom Master NIN.
Where there are mismatches or Primary Telecom Master SIM Registration is unavailable in respect of an Existing Corporate Subscriber, Communications Service Providers shall obtain Primary Telecom Master Passport Photograph and other demographic details; Communications Service Providers shall verify Primary Telecom Master NIN records against details provided via the electronic facial matching and case-management which includes manual facial verification process; Communications Service Providers shall provide NIMC records to Primary Telecom Master and obtain consent to use the records as Corporate SIM Registration,” it stated.
It stated that Communications Service Providers shall update Primary Telecom Master SIM Registration with NIMC records; store consent, passport photo and all other documents on the account.
Communications Service Providers shall validate the Secondary NIN of the Corporate. This shall not be applicable for IOT/M2M; Communications Service Providers shall copy verified Primary Telecom Master NIN and each validated Secondary NIN on the SIMs accordingly;
Where a Data only service is particular to individual use e.g home, car tracking, WiFi, MiFi services, et al, the standard NIN registration process will apply;
Where Primary Telecom Master’s NIN data and Communications Service Providers SIM Registration records match, and Secondary Telecom Master’s NIN is successfully verified, other forms of verification shall not be required;
Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/ncc-updates-sim-reg-nin-linkage-rules/