Communications Authority (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba has ruled out any extension for SIM card registration.
In a press release dated Monday, October 17, the DG noted gave the telecommunications companies a 60-day window to ensure that all their customers comply to the new directive.
He explained that the 60-day window was for the companies to take action on those yet to comply by withdrawing specific services such as voice or data.
"All the Mobile Operators were by the midnight of 15th October 2022 expected to ensure that all subscribers had updated their Sim card registration details in line with the law. Taking into account the improved level of performance so far, Operators are directed to take additional steps to ensure 100 percent compliance in the next 60 days.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the 60 days is not an extension, but a period for the mobile operators to take certain actions including denial of service to prompt further compliance," read the statement in part.
The move is, therefore, likely to compel all customers of a specific network to register their SIM cards.
"These steps include graduated denial of service to SIM card holders not duly registered and eventual deactivation. The services to be affected by this action include voice, SMS, data, and mobile banking services.
"The Authority will undertake a compliance audit to ascertain the level of compliance. Any mobile operator found non-compliant shall be liable to regulatory measures including a penalty of up to 0.5 percent of their Annual Gross Turnover," added the statement.
According to the authority, the two telecommunications giants had hit over 80 per cent compliance rate.
The exercise is expected to protect consumers of telecommunication services and enhance confidence in the use of ICTs.
After the Saturday midnight deadline, a number of mobile phone users lamented that the telecoms had withdrawn some of their services after they failed to register their sim cards.
They could not access their mobile money services, use data or send text messages. They could, however, receive phone calls.
Notably, the October 15 deadline was set after the CA reviewed its former deadline in April 2022 to allow mobile operators to address issues raised.
