As multiutilisation of mobile number has been suspected of increasing criminal activities, the telecom regulator has made it stricter for the telecom service providers not to sell more than 2 sim cards in a bid to check the supposedly misuse.
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has directed telecommunication service providers to stop selling more than two SIM/RIM cards to each person in a bid to stop the misuse especially in criminal cases. The NTA had directed cellular companies to enforce the new provision from July 8, according to the telecom regulator that also claimed that multiple uses of SIM/RIM cards pose a potential risk on digital payment and banking systems.
However, customers can take two sim cards from each service provider.
The increasing use of digital payment systems has made transactions more efficient in several ways but the untraceability of digital cash may encourage criminal activities such as money laundering, according to the regulator. “It could also pose a potential risk for criminal activities, with the utilisation of multiple cards on other digital services and social media which stores customer information in the phone,” it said, adding that the limited distribution of cards for each individual will, however, make it easier to trace the activities. “As the government is also planning to introduce a Citizens Apps, where mobile phones will be the primary way to access it, the limited distribution of SIM cards will minimise potential criminal activities.”
In line with the regulator’s directive, Nepal Telecom (NT) has also directed service providers to issue a limit of three SIM/RIM cards per person using CDMA service. “The parents should provide a proof of relationship document as well as other documents when getting a SIM card for minors,” the directives reads, adding that telecom service providers can only issue one SIM or RIM card per minor. “In case of customers, who already have registered more than one SIM card from telecommunication service providers, the cards need to be registered under the names of people who have been using it.”
The regulator has also warned the telecommunication service providers that they will face action as per the Telecommunication Act, 2053, if they do not follow the directives by the authority.
There are four licenced telecommunication service providers, but Nepal Telecom (NT), Ncell and Smart Cell have been providing the service.
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has directed telecommunication service providers to stop selling more than two SIM/RIM cards to each person in a bid to stop the misuse especially in criminal cases. The NTA had directed cellular companies to enforce the new provision from July 8, according to the telecom regulator that also claimed that multiple uses of SIM/RIM cards pose a potential risk on digital payment and banking systems.
However, customers can take two sim cards from each service provider.
The increasing use of digital payment systems has made transactions more efficient in several ways but the untraceability of digital cash may encourage criminal activities such as money laundering, according to the regulator. “It could also pose a potential risk for criminal activities, with the utilisation of multiple cards on other digital services and social media which stores customer information in the phone,” it said, adding that the limited distribution of cards for each individual will, however, make it easier to trace the activities. “As the government is also planning to introduce a Citizens Apps, where mobile phones will be the primary way to access it, the limited distribution of SIM cards will minimise potential criminal activities.”
In line with the regulator’s directive, Nepal Telecom (NT) has also directed service providers to issue a limit of three SIM/RIM cards per person using CDMA service. “The parents should provide a proof of relationship document as well as other documents when getting a SIM card for minors,” the directives reads, adding that telecom service providers can only issue one SIM or RIM card per minor. “In case of customers, who already have registered more than one SIM card from telecommunication service providers, the cards need to be registered under the names of people who have been using it.”
The regulator has also warned the telecommunication service providers that they will face action as per the Telecommunication Act, 2053, if they do not follow the directives by the authority.
There are four licenced telecommunication service providers, but Nepal Telecom (NT), Ncell and Smart Cell have been providing the service.
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