Telecom Namibia (TN) says it has deactivated 191,598 unregistered prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards by 1 April 2024.
This comes as the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) said 702,246 SIM cards faced possible disconnection after the Sunday, 31 March 2024, deadline.
Telecom’s Head of Corporate Communication and Public Relations Nomvula Kambinda said as of 31 March 2024, the company reported a total of 442,410 active mobile subscribers.
Following the deactivation, the company will maintain a base of 250,812 registered prepaid subscribers.
“Customers with deactivated SIM cards can regain service by completing the registration process. TN encourages affected users to visit any Teleshop to register their SIM cards. TN prioritises both regulatory compliance and customer data security. The deactivation process underscores TN’s unwavering commitment to adhering to the CRAN-mandated SIM Card Registration Regulations and safeguarding consumer privacy,” she said.
She further explained that the deactivation process involves transitioning these cards to a “two-way block” status, effectively preventing them from initiating or receiving calls, texts, or data services.
“Reactivation of deactivated SIM cards is exclusively through completing the established SIM registration process. This ensures that only registered users can access TN’s services, strengthening regulatory compliance and data security measures,” she said.
Kambinda also emphasised that the telecommunications giant remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to industry regulations through continued open communication with CRAN.
