TCRA|Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority

Simcard Registration
As a result of the growth of communication technology, there has been an increased use of mobile devices, including mobile phones with either detachable or imbedded SIMcards. Whereas most users of mobile phones are trustworthy, there are a few who are using this technology negatively. In order to promote good use of telecommunication services, and in the interest of security, the Authority hereby urges all telecommunication service operators to introduce SIM-card registration of mobile phone subscribers. The following steps are being taken with respect to SIM-card registration:

Post-paid subscribers have always been registered and shall continue to be registered.

Pre-paid subscribers receiving application services such as mobile money transfer (for example M-Pesa, Z-Pesa, E-Fulusi Mobipawa, M-Commerce etc.) have always been registered and shall continue to be registered.

Pre-paid subscribers who have up to now not been registered shall be registered by their respective telecommunication service providers within a period of six months from 1st July 2009.

With effect from 1st July 2009, any new pre-paid subscribers shall be registered by their respective telecommunication service provider as soon as they start using a new SIM-card.

With effect from 1st March 2009, each telecommunication service provider shall implement the Caller’s Line Identification (CLI) so as to disable the use of “Private Numbers”.

Appropriate legislation is in the process through which registration of every person desiring to own and use a SIM-card shall be mandatory.