The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has commenced the process to eliminate the physical SIM card slots on mobile devices in the near future as it approved a one-year trial by the MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile to test the workability of the embedded Subscriber Identification Modules (e-SIM) service in the country.
An e-SIM is a small chip embedded on a mobile phone or smart devices and designed for convenience, flexibility and simplicity. The e-SIM makes it easier for subscribers to choose a pre-paid plan provider and switch between network operators. The information on the e-SIM is rewritable by operators and the identification information can be updated over time.
During the period which is to test the workability of the e-SIM, about 5,000 will be tested by the two networks with compliance with a number of regulatory conditions that include full compliance by the MNOs with the Registration of Telecoms Subscribers Regulations 2011; the Mobile Number Portability Regulations and Business Rules 2015; Guidelines on SIM Replacement 2017; and non-degradation of the Quality of Service (QoS) experienced by users of e-SIMs.
Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, said the primary objective of the e-SIM trial is to assess the technical performance of the e-SIM on telecoms service providers’ network towards eventual rollout, if satisfactory.
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