NOWADAYS we read a lot of
things being done by the PTA to control and curb the undocumented sale of mobile
connections all over the country. Although the PTA has reacted to this alarming
situation very late, it has nevertheless taken this responsibility seriously, So
it can be assumed that things will start improving shortly.
If the government and the PTA are really serious about stopping undocumented
sale of mobile connections, then they must amendment sales policies of mobile
operators.
I am of the opinion that we must shift from pre-active mobile sims to inactive
mobile sims. In the case of inactive mobile sims, these may be bought from any
registered retailer. After purchasing the desired mobile sim, the user should be
required to visit any franchise or business centre of that operator, with his
original CNIC, and get his data input into their system.
After the required verifications from Nadra’s database, the sim should be
activated by the operator. This data entry and verification process should not
take more than 48 hours. So the user will be able to use his connection after
about 48 hours of his visiting any of the data entry points of that particular
mobile operator.
A mobile sim is a means of communication and not a toy. Therefore, if the user
has to wait for 48 hours to start its usage, I do not feel anything wrong with
it. Like nowadays it takes about four to six days to complete formalities of the
SBP in order to open a bank account. So in this case it takes a day or two only.
By adopting the non-activated sims policy, the PTA will be able to ensure
correct data of the user and, also, there will be no misuse of the general
public’s CNIC. The prospective user will have peace of mind that no fake
connection can be initiated on his record and without his knowledge. This policy
of inactive sims being available at retail shops will also ensure continuity of
business of these shops, and the retailers will not lose their livelihood.
It must be remembered that as long as pre-active sims are available on retail
shops, the documentation can never be ensured. The business centres of mobile
companies and their franchises have necessary human resource and have made
substantial investment to ensure the legal aspects to prevent any seal or
termination. In this way the earnings of mobile operators will not drop, the
retail shopkeepers too will keep on earning their livelihood, while
documentation of mobile connections will also get completed.