Mobile phone SIM replacement: 20 things every Nigerian must know

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 At one time or the other, a mobile phone users will have reason to replace their SIM, that nifty card that contains the ‘line’ that connect you to your service provider’s network.

The Nigerian Communications Commission, which regulates the local telecoms industry, has provided guidelines for network operators to follow for SIM replacement to mobile phone users.

As a mobile phone user, you may want to know the 20 key facts needed to change your SIM:

1. Before a subscribe can be able to change their mobile phone SIM, the SIM must be faulty, damaged, stolen, lost or become obsolete.

2. NCC must be notified within 24 hours if any operator believes that there are reasonable grounds why a SIM replacement should be refused a subscriber.

   [su_quote]Before a subscriber can be able to replace their mobile phone SIM, they are required to purchase a new SIM card to which the MSISDN of the old SIM card would be transferred.[/su_quote]

3. The request for SIM replacement can be done either by the subscriber or through a proxy.

4. All SIM replacement must be undertaken by the Network Service Providers or their licensed agents or dealers.

5. Before SIM replacement can be carried out, the SIM must have been registered in accordance with the registration of Telephone subscribers Regulations 2011.

6. The subscriber or proxy requesting for SIM replacement must provide the following:

• Information about three most frequently called numbers from the SIM, which must be verified by the Network Service Provider.

• Details of the last recharge on the SIM.

• An affidavit signed by the subscriber and a passport photograph to the subscriber where the replacement is to be done by a proxy.

7. The person requesting for replacement must fill a standard form as provided in the schedule of the guidelines for SIM replacement.

8. The SIM pack or other evidence of direct purchase/ ownership of the SIM must be provided and when it is unavailable, an affidavit attesting to the ownership and loss of the SIM must be provided.

9. For the subscribers who would prefer online SIM replacement, this can be achieved through the Network Service Provider’s secured website or self-service terminal.

10. Before a subscriber can be able to replace their mobile phone SIM, they are required to purchase a new SIM card to which the MSISDN of the old SIM card would be transferred.

11. A replaced SIM must be activated within two hours once the verification of subscriber information has been carried out.

12. The Network Service Provider shall issue interested subscribers with unique identification and Personal Information Number (PIN).

13. Upon satisfactory receipt of validation information the Network Service Provider may execute the Replacement and provide the subscriber with a new SIM.

14. All completed SIM replacement forms and other requirements as stated in the NCC guidelines must be verified and approved by the Network Service Provider before carrying out the SIM replacement.

15. The subscribers are expected to be able to provide the following information on the SIM replacement form issued to them by the Network Service Provided dealer or agent:

• Date of Birth

• Mothers maiden name

• Place of Birth

• Three most frequently called numbers.

6. Any SIM replacement done in violation of the NCC guidelines will be sanctioned in accordance with the enforcement regulations.

7. The SIM must be active on the Network of the operator.

8. A valid photo identification of the subscribers must be provided.

9. The subscriber can pursue any remedy against a Network Service Provider for any SIM replacement done fraudulently by such Network Service Provider agent or dealer.

10. The Network Service Provider must capture a facial image of the subscriber, which must be kept for 12 months.

Olalekan Odewumi