Mandatory registration of prepaid SIM cards

A number of countries have mandated the registration of prepaid SIM cards – a policy that requires mobile operators to check and record their customers’ identity documents before selling/activating their prepaid SIM cards.

The GSMA published a white paper in February 2018, a study in April 2016 and an initial white paper in November 2013 on this topic.

These reports highlight:

• The challenges for consumers and operators where prepaid SIM registration is mandated without proper consideration of local market circumstances (such as citizens’ access to official ID documents);
• Insights and best practices from different countries that have introduced this policy; and
• Recommendations for policymakers who are considering mandating or updating such SIM registration policies.

PDF Downloads:

• Access to Mobile Services and Proof-of-Identity: Global policy trends, dependencies and risks (February 2018)
• Mandatory Registration of Prepaid SIM cards: Addressing challenges through best practice (April 2016)
• Mandatory Registration of Prepaid SIM card users: A white paper (November 2013)