The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed amendments of its 2005 enforcement regulations and guidelines on SIM replacements.

In his welcome address at the Public inquiries on the draft regulations in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Eugene Juwah  stated that the amendment of the regulations are to reflect best practices in the industry.

Juwah also explained that draft SIM replacement guidelines will help to providing a more effective and efficient procedure for SIM replacement and also help check fraudulent processes which has become rampant in the industry.

In similar vein, NCC's head of legal and regulatory services, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye while reviewing submissions made by stakeholders on the draft, pointed that most fines in the amended regulations have been increased as previous ones have failed to serve the purpose of deterring repeated contraventions.

Mrs. Akinloye further stated that factors for imposing general administrative fines now includes previous records of the licensee with regards to regulatory compliance and frequency of contravention.

Speaking on SIM replacement, the commissions legal head maintained that the amendment will no longer allow for SIM replacements through phone calls as the process has been marred with fraud.

She however added that a replaced SIM will be activated within two hours once the verification of subscriber information has been carried out.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at the event believe the amended regulations may become more tasking for telecoms operators and will be making more submissions on the matter before the deadline of 45 days elapses.