(Ecofin Agency) - Mozambique's telecommunications sector is growing rapidly with 13.8 million active subscribers. The regulator wants to adjust existing regulations to better protect consumers and accelerate digital transformation.

The Mozambique Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM) has developed a new "Regulation on the Registration of Telecommunications Services Subscribers" in coordination with mobile operators and other stakeholders. The new regulation, to be implemented in the next six months, aims to update certain aspects of the current regulation to adapt it to the dynamics of the telecommunications sector. 

The new regulation extends the scope of objects to be registered. This includes communication devices, SIM cards, and distribution agents... It also provides for the creation of a centralized database, the establishment of mechanisms to validate the database of public service providers, the creation of a risk center, and the adaptation of the penalty system to the current reality.

The regulation was approved by the government on March 7, during the 8th session of the Council of Ministers this year. It repeals Decree No. 18/2015, of August 28, 2015, which established the legal regime applicable to the SIM card registration and activation process in Mozambique.

Massingue Apala, director of communication and statistics services at INCM, explains that this update is necessary since new internet-enabled tools are being introduced and there is a growing dependence on telecommunications in the various sectors of the economy.

In addition, there has been a resurgence of fraud in the Mozambican telecom sector. According to figures from the regulator, more than 10,000 cases of fraud and scams are reported each month by telecom operators. In addition, more than 50 percent of the documents used in the registration process are fraudulent.

"Improving the subscriber registration process will contribute to improving the quality and security of citizens when they use the telecom and financial services” provided by operators. It will also help fight and mitigate crimes, the INCM said in a statement. 

Isaac K. Kassouwi