Stop standardizing mobile subscriber information online

standard information.jpg — Subscribers must go to the carrier's store to register personal information.

According to the official dispatch of the Department of Telecommunications, the pilot period of using online software applications to review and standardize mobile subscriber information has expired according to official dispatch No. 5698/BTTTT-CVT dated November 23, 2022.

The Telecommunications Department requests that businesses seriously stop using all online applications/software to review and standardize mobile subscriber information; requires network operators to report the results of implementing the standardization of mobile subscriber information to the Department.

In the coming time, the Department of Telecommunications will coordinate with units of the Ministry of Information and Communications to organize inspections, monitor and strictly handle cases of network operators deliberately violating.

Previously, the state management agency allowed network operators to standardize mobile subscriber information online, to make it easier for people to standardize the subscriber information they are using. However, up to this point, the standardization of subscriber information can be exploited to register new subscribers.

According to a survey by VietNamNet , with the drastic actions of the Ministry of Information and Communications and network operators, the market has undergone drastic changes. The number of agents selling pre-activated SIM cards in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has decreased sharply.

Currently, network operators have also stopped registering subscriber information through agents and online channels to prevent the problem of junk SIMs. However, Viettel Telecom representatives said that it is possible to allow network operators to use the online subscription registration form. However, network operators must ensure conditions such as connection to check with the population database of the Ministry of Public Security when customers register for new subscriptions. In addition, network operators must use the eKYC solution to authenticate users. If necessary, the Ministry of Information and Communications can require network operators to take the additional step of using video calls to check whether the SIM card is registered by the correct owner or not.

Agreeing with the above viewpoint, MobiFone also affirmed that digital transformation is taking place strongly, so using the form for customers to register personal information online when activating new subscriptions is a trend all over the world. Services such as registering for e-wallets, issuing and renewing passports... have also been done online.

VinaPhone representative also affirmed that if the form of online personal information registration for new activated subscribers ensures 3 factors: connecting to the population database of the Ministry of Public Security, having eKYC for authentication and using video call for checking, it will be more strictly guaranteed than the current form of going to the network operator's store to register.

Through online registration, customers can buy SIM cards anywhere such as through agents, through e-commerce platforms... However, to avoid the possibility of individuals taking advantage of this form to sell SIM cards to the market, the Ministry of Information and Communications can limit each person with a citizen ID card to register no more than 3 SIM cards online.

Sharing with VietNamNet about this issue, 3 virtual networks ITEL, ASIM, VNSKY affirmed that they have complied with the requirements of the Ministry of Information and Communications to solve the problem of junk SIMs. However, this implementation also leads to the fact that virtual networks no longer have any channels to develop subscribers because they have stopped cooperating to develop subscribers through the agent channel and stopped the online registration channel.

Virtual mobile networks believe that online sales and service channels are an inevitable trend in the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and widespread digital transformation in all industries and areas of society. With the ability to reach customers quickly, accurately and save on intermediaries, developing subscribers online is very suitable for the cost optimization goal that virtual networks pursue.

Faced with the above difficulties, the four virtual network operators have requested the Ministry of Information and Communications to consider allowing all network operators to test the deployment of subscriber development and the provision of telecommunications services online on the principle of absolute compliance with regulations on subscriber information management.

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