03 January 2023

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has granted mobile phone subscribers until 31 January 2023 to have their active SIM cards identified.

After this time, offenders will no longer be able to access telecom services, including calls, texts, and data services.

According to Jabiri Bakari, director general of TCRA, every user of telecom services is required to verify his or her active phone number(s) using a biometric national identity card or phone number national identification (NIN) provided by the National Identification Authority (NIDA).

This regulatory initiative falls within the framework of the application of the provisions of the Electronic and Postal Communications (SIM Card Registration) Regulations, 2020. In section 101, the text stipulates that "any person who owns, holds or controls a mobile phone or a detachable SIM card has the obligation to register the mobile phone or the detachable SIM card.”

"If each of us fully performs this SIM card verification exercise, we will succeed in calming the small turbulences in the atmosphere of telecommunication services, created by a few unscrupulous users who abuse the communication space, which will be safer for all of us who receive services,” said Jabiri Bakari.