NTA (Nepal Telecommunications Authority) has warned mobile network providers against the random sale or distribution of SIM cards. Pointing to the indiscriminate issuing of SIM cards by telecom providers, the authority called for following strict protocols and regulations.

Releasing a notice on Tuesday, 5^th April, Nta urged telcos to comply with regulations strictly before activating SIM cards. Nta stated, in its notice, that it found operators issuing SIM/RIM cards without the customers filling up a KYC form. Likewise, companies have been found not to verify essential documents before activating telecom services.

In that light, it adds that mobile companies must adhere to the terms and conditions Nta has established. Through the notice, the authority urged that companies have customers fill up their KYC form with their correct details and verify before issuing SIM/RIM cards.

NTA has also urged the customers to buy SIM/RIM cards by submitting their correct details.

The authority has warned that if found contrary to the recommendations, the service providers could be subject to action.

Also read: How to Buy a SIM card in Nepal? | Ntc, Ncell, Smart Cell

Random sale of SIM Vs. convenient systems

The notice comes amidst the plan to allow issuing SIM cards without submitting any physical document. NTA is planning on a new digital system that helps obtain SIM card buyers’ information from National ID cards. This means the buyers themselves do not have to bother carrying physical papers. Similarly, Smart Cell has partnered with Thegana which allows customers to buy SIM cards without submitting physical documents to the telco.

For this, customers need to submit their details to the Thegana app and then only perform a scan at a Smart outlet. The details are verified online and the buyer gets the SIM without much hassle.

But what remains at the core is the way details are handled. Before issuing SIM/RIM cards, telcos and vendors must acquire the details of the customer and ensure their authenticity. These actions help curb misuse of SIM/RIM cards and avert possible and undesirable scenarios. We do hope that such telcos and vendors don’t comply with Nta’s codes before distributing SIM cards for the better of all.

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How many SIM cards do you own? Have you followed all the necessary regulations before obtaining your SIM card? Do let us know in the comments below.