Government has announced that Statutory Instrument No.65 of 2011, which will makes it mandatory for sellers of mobile phone SIM cards and the network operators to capture identity details of persons to whom a sSIM card is sold and the number assigned, will come into force in June 2012.
Transport, works, supply and communication deputy Minister Mwenya Musenge told Parliament today in response to a question by Chipata Central Member of Parliament Reuben Mtolo who wanted to know whether Government is considering introducing compulsory registration of cell phone SIM cards in order to guard against criminal activities.
Mr Musenge said that Government issued Statutory Instrument no.65 of 2011 the Information and Communication Technologies, registration of electronic communication apparatus Regulation 2011.
He explained that once the Statutory Instrument comes into force in June 2012, electronic communications network service providers will be required to maintain an electronic register of individual subscriber information which will include names and physical addresses of subscribers and the serial numbers of the SIM cards.
QFM
great news. anonymous cell phone ownership is a security risk.
In the UK, such restrictions dont exist. You can buy a SIM card or cards anywhere any time. They even give free ones. Yet we’ve experienced terrorism. Dont just accept anything. This is all about Big Brother keeping an eye on you.
What security risk this clueless gov’t is playing straight into hands of Network providers who have lobbied them to do so. Do you think they give a monkeys about security..haha…they will just bleed more money from our poor souls wants they know your spending habits.
*once they know your spending habits and geographical location.
Good move. It will reduce pipo insulting on sims and throwing it away. However, it could be another way of spying on individuals, especially those perceived to be opposed to the state. All in all its a good thing, more good than bad…cramp down on enemies of the greater public good
This is not fair….My weekly abusive calls to Obama will have to end.
So sad!
Thats a good idea but zambian goverment should consuolt how it works you dont persons images why should you do that you only do that do line rental customers not pay as you but there is a unique way of catching customers on pay as you as well l’m in uk and a zambian l can help you on that.
improve on your grammar.
Long overdue.
This is not something new. As others have said, it long overdue. South Africa is already doing that. It’s a welcome move!
Finally this will bring a proper clean up
Yap long over due, and will do it the Zambian way, in Zambia its everyone whether pay as you go or what… Bonse ni tiye write your details on that sheet (shit) kekekekeee…. In US its everyone, pa Zed na those without permanent sim cards will be banned heheheheeee
LT I love the picture
How are they going to register the physical address if a person lives in a ‘shanty compound’ or village. Remember, many people use box numbers for communication. This will be interesting.
#10. Its easy to get people physical addreses no matter where on “earth”, be it village or town, still able to locate. Thats why we have GPS co-ordinates alternatively.
Easy.
@#10.1 Then why bother with collection of people’s pedigree information when you can easily locate a mobile with GPS?
Kokoliko!
This is invasion of privacy. In the UK, such restrictions dont exist. You can buy a SIM card or cards anywhere any time. They even give free ones. Yet we’ve experienced terrorism. Dont just accept anything. This is all about Big Brother keeping an eye on you. There’s no case for this in Zambia.
This is extremely bad. Everyone has a right to privacy which has to be respected,. This move is for the gvt to inspect each and every conversation you have. Why should we be stripped off our freedom? Is this a dictatorship? Please this is not big brother where everything should be listened to. Privacy is very important. With the high rate of threats to terrorism in the uk, this system is not used due to peoples privacy. thats something that has to be respected.
Oh no..clueless Mwenya here is playing straight into the hands of these greedy Network providers… there is nothing they would want more than owning the consumer when you register. When the Network provider have the customers’ details they practically own the customer and are easily going to ascertain ones spending habits. (Cont’d)
The issue of security is absolute rubbish. The law authorities can track down anyone easily if they wanted with the help of the selfsame Network Service providers….pay-as-go SIM cards are available in the UK and people don’t have to register as there is no intensive to do so, you only register your bank details if you want to top-up via your debit/credit card, which maybe convenient to some. You are not obligated to do so, as there are top-up shops on practically every street corner where you can top-up manually.Â
Its time our government officials and ministers smarten up with mordern technology and started taking advice from independent Telecoms. consultants, this is not 1964!!
Wake up! Â Â
you are grooming a dictator
Ths is a welcome development. No insults from fools.
I have travelled widely across Africa and beyond. This is common in many other countries.- USA, East Africa, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, South America, Asia, etc. Do not worry if you are not a criminal!
This is the beauty of being based in Europe as the European Economic Community has the consumer’s back always covered hence the low cheap mobile and broadband tarrifs as compared to US.
Citet ?
good news has been implemented in south africa now for a couple of years a quite some time in asia it’s mainly to stop criminals abusing cellphonesÂ
Great news. Mobile communication is an integral part of our society whether we like it or not and should be regulated to some extreme. Only those with criminal intents will oppose this move. It’s been long overdue!
Next: bloggers in Zambia to seek permission from the president before they write anything!
Please ensure that Data Protection is also enforced. Otherwise personal details given to any ‘Jim and Jack’ provider poses a security risk to cellphone users. Such information may end up in the hands of criminals who could use it against innocent Zambians.Â
Good move. This should extended to bloggers on LT. They should register their names and IDs before leaving a comment
net work climbed up the tree. come down u network ala.
I hope the government is is prepared with the security  concerns which will come with this. And why rushing to capture personal details of persons to whom a sSIM card is sold and the number than first having the proper records of citizens in Zambia. we have failed to maintain proper records go to any government institution all you will find is incomplete information which is useless! The idea is good but first let make sure that we utilize idea by first having accurate information in the department of  National registration, because the idea will not work.
Its a briliant idea. Let it be . Only criminally and upside minded fools will dispute this. Bravo gorvernment
Dont cry bane. this is done all over the wolrd. Umwana ashenda atasha nyina ukunaya.
Long overdue, this practice is done all around developed countries especially even for national security reasons. Great call, I must add
 ba jay jay poti everywhere your sim is linked to your name. what about the ma phone contracts?
In the UK there are two types of mobile (you call them cell phone in america and zed) phone numbers you can get. If you get a ‘contract phone’ you have to leave you personal details with the provider, the altenative is a ‘pay-as-you-go’ phone and you dont need to even say your name. You can get as many as you like and you DO NOT need to leave your details.
The Zambian mobile phones by UK standards all fall under the pay-as -you-go category…….
This indeed is long over due. Most countries consider it as a national security matter. Those saying its invasion of privacy should quit & go to Stone Age technology. This legislation does not state that govt will tap phones but want to keep record of subscribers just in case of abuse of service. Even in UK & US, you’re finger printed & photo taken at airport but they say it’s the interest of national security. Only criminal minded chaps see this move as invasion of privacy.
Oops ! Its already law. It came into effect last year when RB assented. Any way its a welcome move. I recall in ethiopia n Egypt they got my particulars .
ok
this is a welcome move,this is what happens all around the world so those opposed to this i just dont know what part of the developed world they are in..its a very nice move.one phone one number,why should you have many numbers,to cheat on your wife and do criminal activities?
lets support the government on this one,its long overdue
Long overdue
I LIKE THE IDEAR,CERTAIN PEOPPLE ARE TROUBLING OUR WOMEN AND MEN BY CALLING USING PRIVATE LINES.MAY THIS BE IMPLEMENTED IN JESUS’ NAME.
For what?
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Good move and welcome dear GRZ
So, 90 days an 3 months later they come up with this ancient brilliance?What next? Are they going to announce that they are introducing sliced bread? Lame!