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Zim to register cell phone lines
Southern Times
June 21, 2010

View this article on the Southern Times website

Mobile phone users in Zimbabwe are now required to register their lines with service providers for security purposes as well as to assist in combating crime.

The Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) Director General Charles Sibanda gave telephone line holders up to August 31 this year to register.

Those who do not will be disconnected from the network.

'Mobile service providers have been directed to ensure that post-paid and pre-paid mobile lines are registered with the operators by August, 31 this year,' he said.

Sibanda said registration of lines would increase security for users, combat criminal activity and abuse of mobile phones.

He said registering lines reduced transmission of messages or calls that were offensive, obscene or threatening in nature.

It also reduced spreading of falsehoods for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to other people. Sibanda said registering cell phone users would also assist POTRAZ in formulating policies.

The call by POTRAZ follows the failure by mobile phone users to register lines with service providers.

Mobile phone operators have also been failing to compel users to register their lines.

Registration of cell phone lines is not unique to Zimbabwe but has become a requirement all over the world with South Africa recently giving the same order to its mobile operators.

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