Business
Over 30m Lines At Risk Of Disconnection – Telcos Boss
The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (Telcos) has stated that more than 30 million phone lines are not properly linked to a National Identification Number (NIN) and remain at risk of disconnection.
Chairman of the association, Gbenga Adebayo, who disclosed this in a release, recently, said these lines are mainly in car trackers, MiFi units, WiFi devices, and Point of Sale machines.
“The numbers are staggering. We are looking at potentially over 30 million SIM cards, including those in various digital devices, that have not been properly linked to the NIN.
“Many of these SIMs are in car trackers, POS machines, MiFis, WiFis, and many other devices that use SIMs to operate”, Adebayo said.
This disclosure is coming on the hills of recent uncertainty caused by the unblocking of lines not connected to their NINs, as telcos had recently began barring phone lines not linked with NINs days before the Nigerian Communications Commission’s July 31, 2024 deadline.
Telcos have since February 2024, implemented a phased disconnection of phone lines in compliance with an NCC directive.
At the end of 2023, the regulator asked telcos to disconnect lines that had not been successfully linked with NIN across three phases, ending July 31, 2024.
It was gathered that three million phone lines were initially blocked before the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) directed telcos to restore the blocked telephone lines.
According to Adebayo, these subscribers were disconnected because of discrepancies in records between telecom operators and the National Identity Management Commission.
“There are instances where individuals provided their NINs, but the information did not match our records. These discrepancies must be resolved at service centers to ensure proper verification”, henoted.
Reacting on why the timing of the disconnections coincided with nationwide protests, Adebayo emphasised that there was no link, as the action had begun long before the protests.
“Unfortunately, the disconnection coincided with the planned protests, but it had nothing to do with stifling communication. We are guided by our social contract with subscribers and provide services on a non-discriminatory basis”, he said.
Corlins Walter
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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