The campaign highlights the importance of the mobile subscribers’ role to protect their SIM cards, which are national resources that should be used responsibly. These should not be given to other users to avoid any misuse that may occur, as the registered owner of the number will be legally and financially accountable.

In line with its continuous efforts to protect the interests and privacy of mobile users, and based on studies and surveys that indicated some increase in civil and criminal cases due to mobile subscribers giving away their SIM cards to other users who may misuse the number, the TRA has taken several steps to organise registration processes and requirements for mobile phone services, provided by the two licensees (etisalat and du). As a result, a number of procedures are being introduced by the TRA to facilitate the process of transferring the SIM cards from the actual owners to the actual users. This will help protect the actual owner of the number from any problems that may occur because of misusing these numbers, besides allowing the actual user to benefit from the wide range of services provided to facilitate connectivity through mobile phones.

To protect rights, privacy

In addition, the new procedures require the licensees to fully update the data of all mobile phone subscribers to ensure the accuracy of information listed in their database.

Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director-General, stated: “The TRA has established a number of procedures that help mobile phone users, both pre-paid and post-paid, maintain their subscription and safeguard their rights and privacy. Consequently, this will determine the licensees’ responsibilities to mobile users’ registrations and will help them monitor their processes. ‘My Number, My Identity’ is a campaign that reflects on the TRA’s efforts to promote transparency, and protect the privacy of mobile subscribers if misuse occurs by users other than themselves.”

Moreover, the new procedures were carefully tailored to include all aspects related to mobile phone registration such as registration requirements, information and documentation, verification, mobile subscribers’ registration (for individuals, visitors, companies and governmental entities), service activation, registration renewals, mobile subscribers’ subscription transfers, customer service, registration records, security and confidentiality, accuracy and compliance.

Passport, Emirates ID must

Also, the procedures identify the registration requirements for individual users, which include the following: a valid passport and the Emirates ID card, thus encouraging the UAE residents to support the government’s efforts in promoting the Emirates ID card as the sole identification document. As for companies and governmental entities, the registration involves presenting a facility certificate issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Nonetheless, for mobile service activation, subscribers have to successfully complete the requirements. The licensees (Etisalat and Du) will soon announce details of the registration process and requirements.

Etisalat, du ready

Othman Sultan , CEO of du, said: “We laud the step taken by the TRA in protecting customer interest. In pursuance and support of the TRA’s decision, we are fully ready to implement the Subscribers Identity Policy. We will soon announce further details of this simplified process of registering SIM cards, as mandated by the TRA. Our customers will be then able to register their details at any of our du shops according to the timeframe which will be announced soon.”

Saleh Abdullah Al Abdouli, CEO of Etisalat, commented: “Our company has dedicated a workforce comprising representatives from all departments to coordinate and ensure the quality and accuracy of registration for our eight million subscribers. Etisalat has been working closely with the TRA to organise the registration process of mobile subscribers to maintain best standards ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of data. The company’s availability at all sales outlets in commercial and business centres throughout the UAE facilitates the process. We call upon mobile subscribers to accelerate the registration process and update their data to ensure registering their number within the timeframe that is to be announced soon.”