Tanzania Introduces SIM Card Limit

The Government of Tanzania has announced plans to limit mobile phone users to one line per network, citing multiple ownership of lines as a contributing factor in fraud and theft.

As a result a new biometric registration of SIM cardholders between May and September is expected, with users required to provide their national identification card or number in order to complete registration.

Speaking on plans acting corporate communications manager at Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Semu Mwakyanjala stated, “The information obtained from registered SIM cards will be directly linked to a subscriber’s national identification card ensuring there is no more misinformation or forgery of the documents; no one can forge fingerprints.”

It will still be possible for users to have multiple numbers across different networks and users can also seek permission from the TCRA if they wish to have multiple lines on the same network so that the authority is aware of and approves their use.