Without registering during the next 60 days, unregistered SIM Card users would gradually lose access to services like phone, SMS, data, and mobile banking.
In order to attain 100% SIM registration compliance, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has urged cell companies to make additional efforts.
Following the SIM registration deadline of October 15, 2022 having passed, hundreds of Kenyans had their cell phone lines cut.
Ezra Chiloba, the director general of CAK, issued a warning, stating that the lines will continue to be suspended despite the further 60 days being a compliance measure rather than an extension.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 60 days is not an extension, but a period for the mobile operators to take certain actions including denial of service to prompt further compliance,” he said in a statement to the press.
The Authority extended the deadline for updating SIM card registration details by six months on April 15th, this year, to enable Mobile Operators and subscribers more time to comply.
According to CAK, the Mobile Operators’ compliance levels have significantly improved during the time.
“In the last eight months, we have seen Safaricom’s compliance levels move from 52 percent to 93 percent while Airtel moved from 42 percent to 81.2 percent,” CAK said.
CAK stated that each Operator is required to maintain 100 percent compliance and that the Telkom Kenya issue is still being reviewed and that more information will be released after the review is completed.
“The Authority will undertake a compliance audit to ascertain the level of compliance. Any Mobile Operator found non-compliant shall be liable to regulatory measures including a penalty of up to 0.5 percent of their Annual Gross Turnover,” said CAK.
The Authority stated that it will hold more consultations with key policy and industry stakeholders on future policy, legal, and regulatory interventions to promote a more efficient, effective, and transparent process of enrolling subscribers for telecommunications and ICT services.
