TRA issues regulation

With a view to safeguarding consumers from fraudulent activities, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has issued a regulation on SIM card enabled telecommunications services registration.   

According to the Director of the Authority’s Cyber Security Directorate, Dr. Khalid Bin Daij Al Khalifa, the regulation, issued on December 31, 2015, is an important step for the protection of the interests of all mobile subscribers.

As per the regulation, a ceiling for the number of pre-paid SIM cards consumers may acquire has been set at maximum 10 from each licensed mobile operators (Batelco, Zain, Viva). So a total of 30 pre-paid SIM cards per person can be obtained.

TRA will also prevent the sale of SIM cards in shops. SIM cards can only be sold through the operators’ outlets and their resellers, who obtain an approval from TRA to conduct the registration and verification processes on behalf of the mobile operators. The new regulation will take effect within seven months from the date of issuance. 

Meanwhile, TRA is gearing up for an awareness campaign on the new regulations. It aims to educate the consumers not to obtain SIM cards on behalf of others and refrain from leaving SIM cards registered in their names at the disposal of others.

“Misuse of SIM cards registered in the name of the consumers may make them subject to legal accountability,” the statement said.

The consumers will be made aware to ensure that SIM cards, without their knowledge, are not registered in their name with the licensed mobile operators. The campaign will also encourage residents and visitors to cancel any SIM cards registered in their names in case they leave the country permanently.