SIM sale capped at 10 for locals, 3 for foreigners
The new regulations will come into effect on August 24, and will apply to previously issued SIMs as well.
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By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) on Monday capped the maximum number of SIM cards that can be sold to a local at 10.
CAM issued the regulations after parliament recommended capping the number of SIMs that can be sold a single person as an additional security measure over the increased incidence of scam calls and theft of funds.
According to the new regulation:
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The SIM card must be deactivated by default
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The card can be activated after the complete details of the buyer are verified by the relevant authorities and the number is registered
Only those above the age of 18 can have a mobile registered to them.
According to the cap:
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A maximum of 10 SIMs for a Maldivian
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A maximum of three SIMs for expatriate workers and tourists
For all communications made using the number, the registered person will be held responsible, and the service provider will be penalised if the regulations are violated. They include:
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Advise them to rectify the issue
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A fine of MVR 10,000 the second time, with a warning to not repeat
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A fine of MVR 20,000 for the third time, along with a final warning
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For the fourth or more violations, a fine of MVR 50,000 will be imposed, and action under Article 9 of the Telecommunications Act, under which CAM reserves the right to withhold or revoke the license to provide telecommunications service
The new regulations will come into effect on August 24, and will apply to previously issued SIMs as well.
