The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) kicked off a three-month awareness campaign on protecting SIM cards on Saturday.
The campaign called 'My number, my identity' has been initiated following a growing number of complaints filed with the ROP and Public Prosecution regarding misuse of SIM cards, fake SIM cards and crimes that originated outside the country but involved the use of Omani SIM cards, said a TRA member.
Addressing a press conference, Col Mohsin al Hafeedh, TRA member, said that the authority, ROP and Public Prosecution have joined hands to educate subscribers in Oman through campaigns to make them aware of the need to protect themselves from abuse, identity theft, and the legal and financial implications of parting with one's SIM. "This has been done to curb the phenomenon of taking new mobile phone numbers and leaving them for others to use."
The TRA member felt that the campaign was necessary after a number of complaints were filed with the ROP on fake IDs, impersonation and other forms of abuse related to SIM cards. It will send out precautionary messages to subscribers via SMS, newspapers, banner and hoardings and radio, and conduct outreach programmes that will include lectures and seminars. It will last until the end of July.
"The goals of the campaign are to spread awareness among users of telecom devices on not using, selling or transferring phone numbers that are not registered under their names, avoid transferring numbers to other users when leaving the sultanate, and striving to uphold the number allocation policy," said Hilal al Siyabi, media and consumer affairs manager, TRA.
Siyabi cautioned subscribers who leave the country or switch to another service to cancel their SIM card registration with service providers. "The initiation of future campaigns will depend on the success of this campaign."
Officials from TRA reinforced its commitment to the telecommunications sector, and to linking Oman to the world through its voice, Internet and satellite capabilities.
"The message of the campaign will be delivered through leaflets and advertisements in newspapers, street sign-boards and on radio, and through a number of events.
There will be approximately 600 radio advertisements on different channels, in addition to outdoor advertising in key areas that attract large crowds, such as major commercial centres," Siyabi said.
"More than 3,000 leaflets in various languages will be distributed. Advertisements in English and Arabic newspapers will be carried with awareness messages." The campaign will be carried out in collaboration with a number of government institutions and telecommunication companies.
© Muscat Daily 2011
