PTA,Mobile Industry moves ahead towards authntic subscribers Antecedent

Thursday, 19 January 2012 10:23

Fareeq Sayyed

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and all Cellular Mobile Operators of the country signed a joint framework, today, to move forward towards a new era in mobile subscriber authentication and authorization. According to the details, the new framework, which is likely to be launched commercially by the end of 1^st quarter of 2012, will eliminate the need of paper documentation at the sale points by automating the Pre-Sale procedure thereby linking it with already automated Post-Sale procedure called 789.

As per the new procedure, a subscriber will only have to present his / her original CNIC at any registered Sale Point to get a SIM which will be activated as per the current procedure i.e. by calling 789 and responding to questions. However, only SIMs sold through registered sales channels would be activated.

The new system shall not only help to eliminate the misuse of CNIC’s copy but also facilitate in keeping real time record of sale of SIMs thereby enabling track of sale channels in case of any misuse. Moreover, transition of existing Cellular Subscriber Agreement Form (CSAF) to e-CSAF will help to maintain an authentic subscribers’ database.

On this occasion, Chairman PTA congratulated to all stake-holders on reaching this milestone and hoped that the new system will further strengthen the processes of SIM verification. He also thanked the mobile companies for extending cooperation in successful implementation of existing SIM verification processes and hoped that the same spirit of mutual cooperation may prevail in future as well.

Mobile Companies CEOs pledged that they will continue to implement innovative ideas with a view to improve verification procedures and to facilitate subscribers.