MTN, 9Mobile gets NCC’s nod for e-SIM trial

Communications service providers in Nigeria, MTN, and 9Mobile have been granted approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to test run the workability of embedded Subscriber Identification Modules Service in Nigeria.

The NCC said the two communications giant would test run for a period of one year involving 5,000 e-SIMS which will be subject to a number of regulatory conditions that would be rolled out.

In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the e-SIM must have full compliance by the MNOs with the Registration of Telecoms Subscribers Regulations 2011.

Others include the Mobile Number Portability Regulations and Business Rules 2015; Guidelines on SIM Replacement 2017; and non-degradation of the Quality of Service experience by users of e-SIMs.

The NCC Executive Vice Chairman,
Umar Danbatta, revealed that, there would be eventual rollout of e-SIM, if it preformed optimally on service providers’ network and was found satisfactory.

Explaining, he said, an e-SIM is a small chip that is embedded on a mobile phone or smart device. It is designed for convenience, flexibility, and simplicity.

“The e-SIM makes it easier for subscribers to choose a pre-paid plan provider and switch between network operators.

“The information on the e-SIM is rewritable by operators and the identification information can be updated over time.”

The NCC boss hinted that technology would in the near future eliminate the need for physical SIM card slots on mobile devices, adding that in line with the commission’s regulatory approach, it would ensure that Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem is in tandem with global best practices.