The Federal government laid out new guidelines for managing phones that are not used for extended time. In the new rules that apply to every SIM card that remains unoccupied during more than 180 calendar days will be marked. If the line is inactive for an additional period of 180 days — which makes the total 360 days total The card will be removed and could be transferred.
If you don’t call or send text messages or make use of mobile data or do any other chargeable activity using your SIM for a full year, your phone number could be transferred to another person.
The policy is part of a wider system called the Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy (TIRMP). The policy is being developed to control the numbering of resources, decrease fraud, and to prevent misuse of old telephone numbers that may remain connected to banks or social media platforms.
The new rules will help enhance service by keeping databases of mobile networks up-to the current. When a phone number is removed the number becomes free and can be re-used to be used again.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will be the host of the central platform used for this procedure and ensure that the network providers adhere to the regulations. The NCC has already started working with its major partners, such as the Central Bank, security agencies and mobile companies to assess the new system ahead of its full rollout.
The full rollout of this policy can be anticipated in the second quarter of this year, or in the last quarter of the year.
This action is targeted to protect consumers, clearing out dormant numbers within the system and ensuring the security of all SIM card transactions are correctly controlled and protected.
