For three years, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has struggled to get the country’s leading mobile operators to adopt subscriber identification module (SIM) cards on their networks, but according to a report from Emma Oknoji of AllAfrica, the initiative is finally beginning to pay off.
In May 2010, the NCC gave a directive to all telecom operators to register SIM cards on their networks, which would provide aid with security operatives in resolving crimes, facilitate the collation of data by the commission on phone users in the country and improve on network quality.
After failing to get the telecoms on board, the NCC was granted an indefinite extension by the federal government to commence another round of SIM card registration.
That extension lasted until June 30, 2013, giving operators enough time to tackle the challenges that were to come, such as inaccessibility in remote areas, damage and theft of equipment, and reluctance of subscribers to provide biometric samples.
One of the larger problems encountered was the pre-registration of SIM cards, many of which were made unethically and subsequently sold at a premium rate to new subscribers. After issuing several warnings to operators to stop the sale of these pre-registered SIM cards, the NCC issued a combined fine of $336,000 as punishment for contravening the provisions of the SIM card registration exercise.
Needing a stronger solution, the NCC brought in seven contractors to oversee the deployment of the program, which finally began to see acceptance in late 2012. One of the major benefits of SIM card registration, Mobile Number Portability (MNP), was a huge hit with subscribers. Operators had a boost in competition due to MNP, and began to offer more values to their subscribers to keep them from porting their numbers over to a competitor.
The problem of service quality, however, remains a tough problem for Nigeria-based operators to fix, particularly the inability to match supply with demand due to administrative and environmental bottlenecks as operators try to expand their capacity. Multiple regulations, vandalism, theft and the occasional shutdown of base stations also play a factor in hindering network improvements.
The NCC remains positive that SIM card registration and MNP have changed the market for the better, allowing for healthier competition and better deals for consumers. Subscribers, however, remain wary as SIM card registration does not fix the larger issue at hand, one that has plagued the country since the industry’s inception -- poor network quality.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson