The head of media and publicity at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Reuben Muoka has stated every unregistered SIM card on every GSM network in Nigeria will be deactivated following the launch of mobile number portability (MNP) next Monday.
He told ThisDay the commission noted some shortcomings in the data captured for some subscribers who visited the various SIM registration centres. In addition, he said many GSM users are still adamant about not registering their GSM lines.
To notify subscribers of the status of SIM card registration, he said the NCC will soon create short codes on the various telecoms networks where Nigerians can request the status of their registration – whether they’ve registered or not – and confirm whether their registration is complete or incomplete.
He said the commission would give subscribers a short time to confirm and sort out the registration. After the expiration of the “time of grace”, he said the commission will direct the various networks to deactivate unregistered SIM cards.
Concerning the CDMA lines, he said a separate date will be announced by the NCC for their own number portability.
“The CDMA technology is different from that of GSM and it is just wise and safe to separate the commencement dates,” he said.
