SIM Card Issuance Limited, Only 10 Per Person
The Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) has recently introduced a regulation to restrict the number of SIM cards that can be issued within the country.
Entitled “Rules on the Issuance and Use of Phone Numbers for Mobile Phone Services,” the new directive aims to establish guidelines for the allocation and usage of telephone numbers for mobile phone services.
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As per the rules, each individual will be permitted to obtain a maximum of 10 phone numbers. However, if an individual is a foreigner or tourist in Maldives, they will be restricted to acquiring a maximum of three phone numbers. Private businesses, on the other hand, will be allowed a maximum of 10 phone numbers.
In exceptional cases where a person requires telephone numbers beyond these specified limits, they can request permission from the Communications Authority. To do so, the individual must submit a formal application to the authority, stating a valid reason for the necessity of additional phone numbers.
Upon the implementation of these rules, they will also apply retroactively to previously issued mobile phone numbers. Individuals who currently possess a higher number of phone numbers than allowed by the new regulations must approach their service provider and request the disconnection of the excess numbers within three months from the effective date of the rules.
Non-compliant service providers who fail to disconnect the surplus numbers within the designated timeframe will face mandatory disconnection of phone numbers, reducing them to the prescribed limit.
The Communications Authority is empowered to take necessary action against any individual found violating the “Regulation on the Issuance and Use of Telephone Numbers for Accessing Mobile Phone Services.”
In the case of a first-time violation, the concerned person will be granted a reasonable period to rectify the situation. For subsequent violations, a fine of MVR 10,000 will be imposed on the individual for the second offense and MVR 20,000 for the third violation. Persistent offenders will be subject to penalties under the Telecommunications Act of Dhivehi Raajje, with a fine of MVR 50,000 for each subsequent breach.
