Unregistered SIMs to be cancelled

Holders have to update their profile in database

Staff

Published Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Following the launch of the “My Number, My Identity” campaign by the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA), Etisalat today announced the near-completion of all procedures to begin SIM card registration for its mobile customers.

Starting July 17, 2012, Etisalat’s customers can choose from over 100 points of sale across the UAE to process their mobile registration.

Registration of the SIM card is only required once and all unregistered SIM cards will be cancelled once the registration period expires.

As per the directive of the TRA, mobile customers in the UAE are required to update their profile in the operator database and ensure all SIM holders are the same as the registered owner of the SIM card.

Customers will need to register their SIM cards by submitting an application form along with valid identification document including Passport with valid residency, Emirates or GCC ID card. For business and government customers, the requirement is a valid establishment card.

Commenting on the registration campaign, Saleh Abdulla Al Abdooli, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat, said: “The My Number, My Identity campaign aims primarily at providing the necessary protection to subscribers and enabling them to procure all services easily. Etisalat has fully harnessed its resources to complete this process successfully for its customers through its points of sale.

"This campaign is particularly important for subscribers because it prevents any unauthorised or criminal usage of SIM cards and helps in curbing legal or social violations besides reducing frauds that have been noticed during few last years.”

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Comments

SMF 14 October 2012 19:32 3 3

I REGISTERED DU SIM CARD WITH DOCUMENT ID CARD 1 YEAR AGO. DO I NEED TO UPDATE AGAIN OR NOT?

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Panackal Jphny Joseph 7 September 2012 11:44 1 0

l need to register SIM cards by submitting an application

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Kevin 29 June 2012 12:00 5 2

Please I request Etisalat to allow us to confirm our contact numbers online. Visiting Etisalat office is a very tedious task, please.

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Kris 28 June 2012 23:05 2 0

Etisalat shall make facility for online reregistration by uploading a scanned copy of passport attested by UAE embassies where the resident is now located.It is difficult to forego a number which one is using for decades just because one is not a resident now.It will harm a lot of people who works in neighbouring countries and travel to UAE frequently for business and leisure interests.

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Andrew 28 June 2012 22:03 14 0

This should be done online not by visiting Etisalat offices. This is 2012 not 1972.

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manish 28 June 2012 18:54 4 0

What is the purpose/motive behind it, telecos distrubuted sim cards free with a purchase of mobile, and at the time of giving any connection (atleast for last 8 year I know) they ask visa+any id copies, and without id's they dont, then why this again asking documents, what motive behind it again, when look in broader perspective, let telecos check their record and send sms only to those whose docs are not with them, WHY people suffer, why not teleco also share the burden

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naimadz 28 June 2012 15:25 1 0

this is good for safety reasons, but they should know that years back we could buy sim cards from any shop selling mobiles without ID. they should allow registration to new owners regardless whos number it was before as many lost trace of it and had same number for years, not easy to cancel like that or update 100 services : bank account, traffic depart, car... they need to be flexible if they want this campaign to succedd otherwise they'll end up losing customers

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George 28 June 2012 14:27 4 1

Many people will loose their mobile phone credit balances equal to loosing their money after re-registration period. Telecom operators will make lots of profit from the unused mobile credit balances and also get thousands of free mobile numbers also. At least the mobile users should be refunded their unused phone credits.Consumer rights will be lost in this case.

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PH 28 June 2012 12:06 1 1

I've just moved to the UK after 25 years in Dubai. I went through a lot of trouble to change my GSM post-paid to a pre-paid number so I can keep it for when I come back to see my family and friends. I've had it for at least 10 years! I'm out of the country and I can't 'register' the one number everyone knows me by.

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FN 28 June 2012 08:07 4 1

Oh come on now, another hoop to jump through? This is getting ridiculous.

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George 28 June 2012 07:32 1 1

Why is TRA not taking steps to reduce local mobile calls charges and apply per second billing for etisalat customers loosing 0.30 fils for each call, lack of control of free SIM cards being given when you buy mobile phones any brand was on offer at hypermarkets. For increasing subscriber base telecom operators giving offers to take new SIM cards... nnow all have to pay for the lack of control of sales of SIM cards. Application, typing fees,etc.. Dhs20-50 charges maybe for each?

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George 28 June 2012 07:31 1 1

Why should existing numbers be cancelled when mobile numbers were already given when applying for ID cards at least those numbers linked to ID cards need not be cancelled and the mobile numbers which are regularly used.

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Omar 28 June 2012 00:19 5 1

And what if it's not registered in my name and never has been? I got a number as a gift 15 years ago. It used to be my Dad's friend's. Then my Dad's. Then my Mom's. Then mine. Now my wife uses it. I have no idea who it originally belonged to.

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Muhammad Rashib Shaikh 27 June 2012 23:44 1 0

I got Etisalat SIM issued last year and am a frequent traveller to UAE. Will I need to get the SIM re-registered as well which I got it issued against submission of my passport copy?

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MS 27 June 2012 23:11 2 0

I've had the same number for 16 years. It has come and gone with me through life from school to work abroad and back again. It is this number with which I am most associated in personal, business, professional, and social matters. Perhaps the residence rule should be thought over considering the amount of people who travel in and out of for extended periods but still maintain social or business relationships here that require a permanent number.

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RN 27 June 2012 17:37 8 3

I bought the sim 6 years ago. I dont remember if i bought it with my passport copy or my husband's passportcopy. How do i find this out. If they cancel my subscription, I will switch to another telecom provider because there are better services and pricing. I think Etisalat will lose a lot of business. Please let us know what is the deadline and the process etc.

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krishna 27 June 2012 16:10 8 0

is there a fee for this too?

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