- Shortlists 2 operators for trials
The Federal Government is considering ways to scrap the physical Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) cards for an embedded SIM (e-SIM) operation in the country.
To this end, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted approval for two Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile to carry out trial on the workability of embedded Subscriber Identification Modules (e-SIM) Service in Nigeria.
Running for one year, the exercise would involve testing 5,000 e-SIMs by the operators, subject to compliance with a number of regulatory conditions.
The criteria include strict obedience by the MNOs to the Registration of Telecoms Subscribers Regulations 2011, Mobile Number Portability Regulations and Business Rules 2015, Guidelines on SIM Replacement 2017, and non-degradation of the Quality of Service (QoS) experience by users of e-SIMs.
A statement yesterday by the Commissions Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, quoted the NCCs Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta as saying: The e-SIM is a technology that will eliminate the need for physical SIM card slots on mobile devices in the near future.
Prof. Umar Danbatta said the primary objective of the trial was to assess the performance of the initiative prior to its eventual rollout.
