Govt tightens grip on SIM sales
Thursday, 11 March 2010
The government Wednesday took steps to curb criminal activity by mobile phone, including stricter regulations for buying and selling of SIM cards, to take effect immediately, report agencies.
The government has decided to impose some restrictions on the mobile phone operators and subscribers amending the 'Telephone and Telegraph Rule, 2001' to curb mobile terrorism in the country.
According to the decision, those under 18 will have to buy SIM cards through their guardians.
Those over 18 will have to show their national identity cards to purchase a mobile SIM card, and also needs to provide a guarantor's address and contact number.
Mobile operators had been asked to enforce the decisions from Thursday, Home Minister Sahara Khatun told reporters after a meeting on the recommendations of a committee for curbing mobile terrorism at her ministry regarding the subject.
Chaired by the Home Minister, the meeting was attended, among others by State Minister for Home Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad, Director General (DG) of RAB Hassan Mahmud Khandkar, Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) AKM Shahidul Haque.
"There will be a committee with representatives of mobile operators to implement the decisions. Another committee of the home ministry will also work as observers," Sahara said.
Restrictions are also being imposed on traders, who must be SSC graduates to gain a license to sell SIM cards.
The government has decided to impose some restrictions on the mobile phone operators and subscribers amending the 'Telephone and Telegraph Rule, 2001' to curb mobile terrorism in the country.
According to the decision, those under 18 will have to buy SIM cards through their guardians.
Those over 18 will have to show their national identity cards to purchase a mobile SIM card, and also needs to provide a guarantor's address and contact number.
Mobile operators had been asked to enforce the decisions from Thursday, Home Minister Sahara Khatun told reporters after a meeting on the recommendations of a committee for curbing mobile terrorism at her ministry regarding the subject.
Chaired by the Home Minister, the meeting was attended, among others by State Minister for Home Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad, Director General (DG) of RAB Hassan Mahmud Khandkar, Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) AKM Shahidul Haque.
"There will be a committee with representatives of mobile operators to implement the decisions. Another committee of the home ministry will also work as observers," Sahara said.
Restrictions are also being imposed on traders, who must be SSC graduates to gain a license to sell SIM cards.