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Thursday March 28, 2024

Telecom sector spends Rs2.5bn on biometric SIMs re-verification

KARACHI: Telecom sector has so far spent Rs2.5 billion on biometric re-verification of SIMs ahead of fast-approaching deadline of mid-April after which unverified mobile users will go off the network, a top official of cellular operator said on Monday. Chief Executive Officer at Telenor Pakistan Michael Patrick Foley, addressing a

By Tariq Ahmed Saeedi
January 27, 2015
KARACHI: Telecom sector has so far spent Rs2.5 billion on biometric re-verification of SIMs ahead of fast-approaching deadline of mid-April after which unverified mobile users will go off the network, a top official of cellular operator said on Monday.
Chief Executive Officer at Telenor Pakistan Michael Patrick Foley, addressing a new briefing, said telecom operators are given 90-day time to complete BVS process.
“It is a tough deadline,” he said. “We have a short time and challenge after the Peshawar attack increased the importance of this.”
Knowing the hassle faced by users during the re-verification process, Foley said it is their civic responsibility to get their SIMs (subscriber identity modules) verified.
“There will be queues…be patient…it is going to be inconvenient,” he said. “Customers need to come early.”
Telenor Pakistan chief said the company will provide door to door and mobile van services to get this task finished as a part of the government national action plan to eliminate anonymous use of mobile phones.
“The data will help law enforcement agencies to catch criminal elements,” he said.
Mobile users are thronging retail channels to tag SIMs with their fingerprint on BVS machine connected to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to keep using mobile telecommunication. A nominal Rs10 is a fee on a SIM biometric verification.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority directed all the five telecom operators to cancel unverified SIMs by 14 April.
“BVS authentication is in two phases. First deadline is 27 February for more than two SIMs and second phase cut-off date is 14 April for one or two SIMs. Unverified numbers will be blocked after the deadline,” Foley said. “They can be reissued with a new application.”
According to him, around 60,000 BVS machines have been deployed on various retail outlets around the country to re-verify 103 million mobile SIMs.
“The BVS machines are being imported from China; more will arrive by December-end (2015),” he said.
Telenor claims to have so far deployed 20,000 BVS machines nationwide. And, it has to authenticate 37 million of its users from the Nadra.
Pointing the impact of the re-verification drive on telecom business, Foley said no SIM sale can be made from the retail channel during the drive. At the same time, however, he added that BVS will be the top priority.
The business may be hurt especially when spectrum technologies have recently been introduced.
“There will be a big dip,” he said, reminding Rs23 as taxes by mobile telecom for every Rs100. “Since 2003, the industry has contributed Rs1.2 trillion towards the national exchequer.”
Telenor Pakistan chief said 3G is growing so quickly. “BVS may slow down investment in 3G,” he added. “BVS is rigorous/best tool. However, it can be abused.”
Foley is content with the Nadra’s performance, saying, “It is excellent”.
“We have engaged with the national security agencies to ensure targeted shutdowns in case of emergencies,” Foley said.
Telecom sector has invested almost $13 billion in the country since 2003. The industry created 22,000 jobs directly and 16,000 indirect jobs as people earn their livelihood through telecommunication.
During the last two SIM verification drives in 2009 and 2011, the telecom industry coughed up around Rs22 billion.
Foley believes the telecom sector in Pakistan is underinvested.
Pakistan’s second largest telecom operator in terms of subscribers Telenor Pakistan – a subsidiary of Norwegian Telenor Group – has invested $2.5 billion in the country in the last 10 years.
“Environment in Pakistan is best for investment (having) great team and resources I have ever worked with,” he said. “Telecom is a key engine in Pakistan’s economy; it can increase its competitiveness in the world and improve education and industrial productivity.”
Telenor Pakistan exported 200 to 300 employees to work in different offices of the telecom operator around the world. And, the company’s branchless banking division EasyPaisa was honoured as one of the best mobile money services in the world. It has around 160,000 branches in Pakistan.