Mobile ‘blackout’ looms as govt rules out extension

Even if the SIM registration deadline were to be extended, there are Namibians who will still miss the new due date, and therefore government will not entertain any extensions.

This was confirmed by information ministry executive director Dr Audrin Mathe during a joint press conference on Friday on the issue.

Mathe also admitted that there was never any legal requirement for the capturing of biometric data for SIM card registrations.

This is despite mobile operators TN Mobile and MTC requiring their subscribers to submit such data.

“There is no legal requirement for biometric data, let’s get that out of the way,” he said before dismissing any further questions on the matter.

Mathe defended the move by government to ensure SIM cards were registered, saying it would help stem cyber-crimes. He added that 157 countries had adopted a SIM registration process Namibia was simply copying.

“Registration is important to combat cyber-crimes. So far, 157 countries use this provision. This process will not be open-ended, there is nothing unusual about it.”

No reason

Mathe was taken aback by the public’s lack of urgency on SIM registrations, and questioned how jurisdictions with far higher populations than Namibia were able to get their users registered.

“There is no reason why a population of two million could not be registered; there is absolutely no reason. Where we are now is people have waited too long to have their cards registered. This is a typical Namibian thing, we wait until the last minute,” he said.

The executive director added that government would use the two-week period in the run-up to the end of the year to establish whether unregistered SIM cards would be disconnected, saying at some point, the process would have to end.

“Even if you extend [the deadline], you are still going to find people who are not going to have their cards registered, so at what point do you cut off? At some point, the process is going to end, and on 29 December, we are going to make a final decision whether there will be an extension,” he said.

Come on board

Mathe also urged the banking sector to consult the ministry on the matter instead of “running to the media” to air their complaints.

This after concerns that SIM card deactivations could lead to an increase in banking fraud.

“We ask the banks to come to the party. They must come on board and do messaging from their side, they are a key stakeholder. They must not sit out there and point a finger. In fact, it is more powerful coming from them [to urge members of the public to register their SIM cards],” he said.

Grace period

According to Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) spokesperson Jarius Kapenda, no extension would be granted beyond the 31 December deadline. By that date, all non-registered SIM cards will be suspended, he said.

However, mobile users will be granted a three-month grace period to register their SIM cards in order to regain access, and keep their numbers.

“It is not for the authority to grant an extension. CRAN never took a decision to extend [the deadline] beyond 31 December. SIM cards will be deactivated," he said.

Late last week, MTC indicated that over 925 000 of its customers - or 47% - were registered, while TN Mobile reported that over 201 000 of its pre-paid customers – representing 48% - had registered their SIM cards.