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Highlights | Telecom<br />
SIM Card Registration,<br />
A positive step to protect<br />
consumers<br />
The process for biometric scans<br />
for SIM Card registration<br />
was introduced by the Bahrain<br />
Telecommunications Regulatory<br />
Authority (TRA) in order to safeguard<br />
the consumers from the risks of<br />
identity theft that could subsequently<br />
result in financial liability and legal<br />
accountability.<br />
Over the past few years. TRA has<br />
observed significant increase in the<br />
cases of Identity thefts through the<br />
exploitation of registration process<br />
for SIM Card. This includes over a<br />
hundred cases of travel bans being<br />
issued for individuals who fell victim<br />
to identity theft, and over 80 cases of<br />
fraud reported by consumers who were<br />
completely unaware of SIM cards that<br />
were registered on their name.<br />
In order to prevent such issues<br />
along with other identity theft related<br />
crimes, and to provide the consumers<br />
with additional safeguards during<br />
SIM-Card registration, TRA requires all<br />
Mobile Operators in the Kingdom of<br />
Bahrain to carry out biometric scans<br />
for every SIM card owner. TRA has<br />
been continuously monitoring the<br />
process of registration and has been<br />
addressing any issues as a matter of<br />
priority.<br />
TRA reminds all consumers of the<br />
upcoming deadline to register their<br />
SIM cards with their service providers.<br />
Postpaid SIM card owners have until<br />
the 2nd of June <strong>2018</strong> to complete<br />
registration before their lines are<br />
suspended temporarily after which<br />
will be deactivated permanently on the<br />
2nd of September <strong>2018</strong> if consumers<br />
fail to register. While Prepaid Sim Card<br />
owners had until the 2nd of March<br />
2019 to complete registration before<br />
their lines are suspended temporarily<br />
later permanent deactivation on the<br />
2nd of June 2019 if not registered.<br />
Physical appearance of consumers is<br />
required to confirm registration along<br />
with verification documents such<br />
as a Passport or Smart ID, and CR for<br />
business owners. Consumers only have<br />
to register their SIM cards once and the<br />
process takes minutes to complete.<br />
Consumers who are over 60 years<br />
old, or with disabilities, or whose<br />
fingerprint impressions cannot be<br />
detected by the fingerprint scanner<br />
which prevent them from completing<br />
the verification scan are considered<br />
exempt from the verification<br />
scanning process and only require<br />
documentation to prove their identity.<br />
Consumers whose fingerprint<br />
doesn’t match with the fingerprint<br />
impression on their smart card, are<br />
requested to update their fingerprint<br />
scan at the Information & eGovernment<br />
Authority’s outlets.<br />
It should be noted that TRA did not<br />
impose any fees for registration.<br />
Batelco launch free<br />
Internet services<br />
Batelco launched its latest initiative<br />
to provide free internet services in<br />
partnership with the Ministry of Works,<br />
Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning<br />
across the Kingdom to include tourist<br />
attractions, public facilities such as<br />
parks, gardens and coastlines.<br />
The service will be available for<br />
all citizens and residents and tourists.<br />
Batelco customers will automatically<br />
connect to the WiFi once they enter the<br />
area that is covered by the services, while<br />
others will be able to access the free<br />
internet through a specialized web page.<br />
Batelco Chairman Shaikh<br />
Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa<br />
stated, “Batelco values the directives<br />
of HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa<br />
bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to<br />
Shaikh Mohammed bin<br />
Khalifa Al Khalifa<br />
Chairman, Batelco<br />
provide internet services in public<br />
spaces across the Kingdom of Bahrain<br />
and Batelco is committed towards<br />
providing Smart City solutions to<br />
support the Kingdom’s efforts in<br />
maintaining its position in the global<br />
market place. This initiative reiterates<br />
Batelco’s support and commitment<br />
towards the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.”<br />
Free internet initiative aims to<br />
strengthen the Kingdom’s position as<br />
a leading regional communications<br />
hub, attracting further commercial<br />
investments and attracting more<br />
tourists and visitors to the Kingdom of<br />
Bahrain.<br />
It is worth noting that several<br />
locations already have operational<br />
internet services including the Bahrain<br />
International Circuit, Seef Mall Muharraq<br />
and Seef Mall Seef District, as well<br />
as other commercial complexes. The<br />
service will soon be available in other<br />
key locations across the Kingdom<br />
including Prince Khalifa Park, Al<br />
Estaqaili park in Riffa, A’ali Walkway,<br />
Adhari Park, Tubli Walkway, Al Andalus<br />
Park and Al Salmaniya Park.<br />
64 March-April <strong>2018</strong>
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