Following the Prime Minister's directive to "thoroughly address the issue of 'junk SIMs'. The Chairmen and General Directors of mobile telecommunications companies and businesses must bear personal responsibility for 'junk SIMs'," the Ministry of Information and Communications has issued a notice emphasizing the responsibility of business leaders in strictly managing and registering subscriber information. They must directly supervise and be responsible for implementing measures to thoroughly address, recall, and prevent the proliferation of 'junk SIMs'.

A SIM card sales point on Kim Ma Street. Photo: XM

The Ministry of Information and Communications requires the head of each enterprise to directly supervise and take responsibility for the implementation and completion of the conversion of all existing SIM cards to SIM cards without subscriber information (with or without service packages), ensuring that the subscriber SIM cards are accurate, compliant with regulations, and match the national population database. These SIM cards can only be activated and newly developed by the network operators themselves according to the established roadmap.

Before March 22, 2024: SIM cards that are currently blocked in both directions, have subscriber information, and have a service plan must be changed to SIM cards without subscriber information.

Before April 15, 2024: SIM cards that are currently blocked for outgoing calls and show signs of pre-activation must be changed to SIM cards with no subscriber information; the process of handling subscriber groups with multiple SIM cards registered under one document (≥ 4 SIM cards/1 document) must be completed.

From April 15, 2024: Mobile telecommunications businesses will be held fully responsible if any newly developed SIM cards that do not comply with regulations are still available on the market. This includes cases where violations are detected (such as SIM cards with existing subscriber information...).

The Ministry of Information and Communications has assigned its Inspectorate to conduct inspections and handle violations (with the highest penalty – suspension of new subscriber development activities). Simultaneously, the Ministry will send a written reminder to the enterprise and report to the Prime Minister for consideration of disciplinary action against the head of the violating enterprise.

According to this roadmap, by April 15th, mobile network operators must conduct checks on individual and organizational customer files with registration documents for four or more SIM cards, to ensure that the information is complete and accurate as required and to verify whether they are currently using the registered subscriptions.

Previously, starting in May 2023, the Ministry of Information and Communications also inspected individuals and organizations registering 10 or more SIM cards. As a result, 8.6 million subscribers were found to be in violation and were penalized. Of those, as of September 2023, 3.6 million SIM cards had their information re-registered. The remaining SIM cards were blocked one-way, two-way, or revoked.

According to regulations on mobile subscriptions, users can register up to three SIM cards with each network provider by providing personal documents and information. For the fourth or subsequent subscription, they must enter into a contract using a standard form. Mobile telecommunications companies are responsible for checking, monitoring, and ensuring that these subscriptions are used in accordance with regulations.

According to baotintuc.vn