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Saudi regulator cracks down on SIM law
09 February 2012
Saudi communications authority says users have to enter ID number to top up prepay SIM cards
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Saudi Arabia
CITC
regulator
SIM card
ID
prepay
security
Saudi Arabia’s Communications and IT Commission will proceed with its plans to stop the use of SIM cards by unknown people, its governor Abdullah Al-Darrab said. Operators have been told to make changes to their top up systems so they work only when users enter their identity card number.
The commission will require users to enter their ID number along with a prepaid card number to top up SIM cards, Arab News reported, citing daily Al-Watan.
The user will not be able to recharge a SIM without entering the ID number, thus ensuring that anonymous cannot use prepay mobile services.
Al-Darrab said: “Telecommunications companies operating in the kingdom had asked for a time period to make the necessary changes in their system to support the regulation.”
Sources have indicated that operators will be implementing the CITC ruling in phases, according to the report. Meanwhile, operators in the region are reportedly developing an advanced system that will match the directive.
According to Arab News, Al-Darrab said: “The commission will take all the necessary precautions and seeks to cooperate with the concerned agencies to make sure SIM cards do not fall into the hands of anonymous people.” GTB
Further reading from Global Telecoms Business:
Saudi Telecom to launch LTE services 05 Jan 2012
Saudi Arabia to award MVNO licences 18 Nov 2011
Saudi Telecom 'plans major acquisition' in 2012 24 Oct 2011
Zain loses buyer for Saudi Arabia stake 29 Sep 2011