Unverified SIMs To be Blocked by 17 May: PTA

Press Release: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed cellular mobile operators to take all possible measures for the verifications of SIMS of their subscribers within specified time period through “SIM information System 668”. In this regard, mobile operators are launching a massive campaign to rectify the inaccuracies in the data of mobile users’ antecedents. They are running awareness campaigns through media and will send SMS to the subscribers asking them to get their SIMs identity corrected from the Customer Service Centers (CSC) of concerned mobile operators. All unverified and unregistered SIMs shall be blocked by May 17, 2011.

PTA had introduced “SIM information System 668” for the verification of mobile SIMs. Through this service subscriber can send his CNIC to 668 through SMS and in return he would receive detail of total SIMs against his CNIC alongwith name of the mobile company. In case there is any discrepancy, the user would visit CSC to get the data corrected. If he does not get his SIM cleared it would be blocked by May 17, 2011. This is part of PTA efforts to block all illegal SIMs and clean the data of mobile users.

It may be added that while continuing its campaign against unnamed and unregistered SIMs and during phase 1 and phase 2, PTA has blocked total 16.3 million unregistered SIMs. After introduction of “789 SIM Activation System” in February 2009, only non activated SIMs are available in the market. 3.8 million SIM activation requests have so far been rejected on the basis of incorrect information. New SIMs are activated through this online verification system from NADRA after identification of legitimate users by asking secret questions such as place of birth etc.

PTA along with mobile operators also taking measures to resolve the issue of mobile handsets working on duplicate IMEI. PTA would follow the policy guidelines of the government on it.