The Communications Commission of Kenya yesterday hinted at the starting of Sim card registration among teenagers who will undergo the process using their parent’s identification card.
The move by the commission targets at weeding out mobile fraud among Kenyans and for the government to collect accurate data on subscribers as well. The teenagers who will have their Sim cards registered under their names will however have to be in the company of their parent/guardian who will be rendered liable for all activities carried out using the sim cards.
At the press briefing, the Communications Commission also announced plans to institute a raft of reforms that are set to streamline the fast growing telecommunications sector.
The Commission of Kenya recently asked mobile operators to upgrade their service provision, which in an audit was termed inefficient having Safaricom lead with 50% -30% lower than the worldwide expectation.
This comes with heavy fines awaiting gazettement; Use of false information while registering will attract an amount of sh100,000 or jailed for six months contravening the new rules will lead to a fine not more than 5 million for mobile operators while agents will have to foot sh500,000 and 300,000 for persons against the regulations.
According to director general of the Communications Authority of Kenya Mr. Francis Wagusi, the penalties will instill responsibility from the mobile operator, agent and subscribers since they all stand to be accountable to an offense made.