Kenyans will continue using unregistered SIM cards after Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) extended registration period by six months.
Both mobile network operators and Sim-card subscribers now have until October 15, 2022, to meet the set registration regulations.
The authority made the decision following failure by all mobile network operators to meet a 100 percent registration compliance.
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On February 24, CA directed all mobile network operators namely Safaricom, Airtel and Telcom Kenya to ensure full caption of customer details by April 15, 2022.
This was in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communication Regulations of 2015.
So far Safaricom PLC has reported 67 per cent compliance, Airtel Kenya 57 per cent, with Telcom Kenya lagging behind at 33 per cent
Ezra Chiloba
CA Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba admitted the exercise still has a long way to go as reports indicated none of the operators met the target.
“So far Safaricom PLC has reported 67 per cent compliance, Airtel Kenya 57 per cent, with Telcom Kenya lagging behind at 33 per cent,” he said.
Chilobah also stated that the entity heeded to concerns raised by subscribers and operators on preparedness to ensure full compliance.
The authority has outlined that it will monitor and assess the progress during the extended period and further conduct a detailed compliance audit on each of the sim-card operators.
Subsequently, the authority warned that any non-compliance by either the operator or subscriber will attract immediate penalties as laid by out by the law.
Subscribers are encouraged to use short code *106# to verify registration status. This cuts across all networks.