The Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Emma Theofelus, has announced significant progress in the registration of SIM cards.

The initiative, which began in 2021, is being done in compliance with the Communications Act.

The minister revealed that the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) temporarily suspended 567,298 SIM cards by the deadline of March 31st this year. 

The suspension of SIM cards resulted in the inability of users to make calls or send text messages.

As the clock struck midnight on Sunday, the deadline for SIM card registration officially lapsed, leaving thousands suspended. 

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) says the registration process will continue until June, after which unregistered numbers will be made available for purchase by others.

Mobile homes had issued reminders and warnings repeatedly leading up to the cutoff date, urging citizens to comply with the registration requirement or risk having their SIM cards deactivated. 

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has cancelled the spectrum licences granted to UCOM Mobile Namibia, previously known as Mobile Telephone Networks Business Solutions Namibia (MTN).

CRAN, in a statement on Monday, said the High Court granted a default judgement against UCOM Mobile Namibia on November 16, 2023.

This is a result of its inability to settle over N$19.3 million in licence fees following fruitless mediation efforts.

MTC has reiterated that customers who wish to continue using the services provided by the mobile giant must provide their biometric data during the registration of their SIM cards.

MTC's insistence comes in contrast to the stance taken by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), which clarified that the capture of biometric data would not be mandatory for SIM card registrations.

Despite the directive issued by CRAN on Friday, MTC remains firm in its position.