The telecom regulator aims to end the practice of misusing SIM cards by anonymous persons, including criminals, Al-Watan newspaper reported on Sunday.

Al-Darrab said, “We are still resolved to implement the decision. Telecommunications companies operating in the Kingdom had asked for a time period to make the necessary changes in their system to support the regulation.”

In the new system, a consumer should enter his ID or Iqama number immediately after entering the prepaid card number to recharge the SIM card. It would not be possible to recharge the SIM card without entering the ID number.

Al-Darrab said CITC is following the matter closely. “The commission will take all the necessary precautions and seeks to cooperate with the concerned agencies to make sure SIM cards do not fall into the hands of anonymous people,” he said.

The CITC chief said that anonymous SIM cards were posing a severe threat to the security of the nation and the society as well. He urged all citizens and foreigners in the Kingdom not to buy such SIM cards to avoid the complications and dangers that might be involved in them. 

A telecom company official said the telecom companies operating in the Kingdom are working on introducing an advanced system, in line with the directive of the telecom regulator. When the system would become available, was not yet clear.

Sources in the telecom industry said the telecom companies would implement the CITC directive in phases.

The telecom regulator warned earlier that buying anonymous SIM cards is a clear violation of the law and that the violators would face penal action.