The Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) has announced the implementation of a new regulation that limits the number of SIM cards each individual can purchase. This regulation will come into force in one month's time.
According to the regulation, each Maldivian citizen will be allowed to purchase a maximum of 10 SIM cards, while tourists or foreign citizens will be limited to purchasing 3 SIM cards.
Independent businesses will also be allowed to purchase a maximum of 10 SIM cards. However, legal entities and state-run bodies will not be subject to any limitations and will have the freedom to purchase SIM cards without restrictions.
Cases of scams involving unregistered SIM cards have been on the rise, with thousands of SIM cards being obtained under a single person's name. According to the police, SIM cards are often unregistered, making it challenging for law enforcement to identify the scammers behind these fraudulent activities.
As a result of the increasing cases of scams involving unregistered SIM cards, CAM, after consultation with telecommunications service providers, drafted and published a new regulation to bolster the governance of the purchase and sale of SIM cards.
Individuals who wish to obtain more SIM cards than the amount stipulated in the regulation can submit a valid reason to CAM. The authority will have the discretion to consider the reasons presented and may grant permission based on the merit of the request.
According to the new regulation, individuals who currently possess SIM cards above the limitation are required to contact their service providers and deactivate the exceeding number of SIM cards within three months of the regulation coming into force.
This measure is designed to ensure compliance with the new restrictions and gradually bring the number of SIM cards in line with the new limitations set by the communications authority.
Failure to comply with this requirement within the specified period may lead to actions being taken by the authorities to enforce the regulation, which could include service providers limiting and disconnecting SIM cards as they see fit.
The regulation further emphasizes that the SIM cards should not be activated at the time of sale. Service providers are prohibited from activating SIM cards without having access to the buyer's information.
In the event of any violation by a service provider or agent, a grace period is provided for corrective action. However, failure to rectify the violation may result in a fine ranging from MVR 10,000 to MVR 50,000.
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