MTN and 9Mobile networks have been duly selected by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the pilot test run for the embedded Subscriber Identification Modules (e-SIM) Service, subject to full compliance with regulatory conditions.
According to NCC, the conditions required for each of them to fulfill include:
- Full compliance by the MNOs (Mobile Network Operators), with the Registration of Telecoms Subscribers Regulations 2011
- The Mobile Number Portability Regulations and Business Rules 2015
- Guidelines on SIM Replacement 2017
- Non-degradation of the Quality of Service (QoS) experience by users of e-SIMs.
The disclosure was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who stated that the primary objective of the e-SIM trial run is to confirm, as well as, assess the technical performance of the e-SIM on telecoms service providers’ network – prior to rollout.
He further said, “The trial is in line with the Commission’s forward-looking regulatory approach to ensure Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem is in tandem with global best practices.”
What you should know
- An e-SIM is a small chip that is embedded on a mobile phone or smart devices. It is designed for convenience, flexibility, and simplicity.
- The e-SIM makes it easier for subscribers to choose a pre-paid plan provider and switch between network operators.
- The information on the e-SIM is rewritable by operators and the identification information can be updated over time.
- The e-SIM is a technology that will eliminate the need for physical SIM card slots on mobile devices in the near future.
