What Is SIM Registration?

SIM card registration is the process of recording the details of the person who owns a SIM card in a centralized database.

SIM card registration is mandated in a number of countries and requires consumers to provide proof of identification in order to activate and use a mobile SIM card. A number of governments adopt this policy as part of their efforts to help mitigate security concerns and criminal behavior.

As part of its effort to have a credible database of SIM Card Subscribers, most governments seek to develop and deploy a secure, reliable, continuous, and widely accepted SIM Card Registration System. The use of the system covers all Mobile Phone Operators and enables the capture of detailed subscriber profiles and data in a manner that facilitates seamless integration with other Operator or Regulator databases.

What Is A SIM Card?

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is a small, portable memory chip that stores information about a mobile phone user. On it, there is a 17 digit code that designates its country code of origin, the system carrier (e.g. Verizon, Telefonica, Vodafone, AT&T, etc.), and a unique user ID. The SIM card tracks phone service usage and allows carriers to accurately bill users, as well as provides users with an easy way to transfer their contacts and settings data to new devices.

SIM cards were introduced in 1991 and the first SIM card was roughly the size of a credit card. Over time, the SIM card has evolved becoming smaller and smaller.

The evolution of the SIM card aligns closely with that of the GSM (Global System of Mobile Communications) mobile network – the standard network in Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the United States, an additional network called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is used by carriers. Phones on the GSM or CDMA can essentially use any carrier’s network, lowering the costs for the carriers and its users.

SIM cards are a crucial part of these networks, storing user information required for authentication. Ultimately, this information allows both your phone to connect with a GSM network and GSM networks to track your service usage (specifically, your minutes, texts, data usage, etc), giving carriers the information they need to accurately bill consumers.

Right now, consumers are confined to the limitations of a small piece of plastic with inlaid brass components. The future of SIM lies in eSIM and Soft SIM. Instead of a physical card that can be lost or stolen, consumers would have a virtual card containing the same data. The possibilities of cloud-based technologies, especially the non-existent data capacity limitations and integration opportunities, are endless.

THE SOLUTION.

For Regulators and Operators looking to implement or simplify existing SIM registration processes, providing smoother customer experiences, Proxona offers the SIMControl platform. SIMControl is a centralized SIM card registration platform, coupled with additional SIM card management services, utilizing a single graphical user interface (GUI) and a robust set of application programming interface (API) end-points. An all-in-one platform that is simple to use, combined with an easy process that guides subscribers, with the assistance of Operators, smoothly through the SIM registration process, with options to integrate our smart validation solutions (via SMS) to mitigate fraud and errors. Currently, Proxona offers two global services:

SIMExplore

Explore is what we call “Google” for SIM card numbers. We created an application that tells you who operates a SIM card number and returns any [meta] data related to it. This can be accessed by Service Providers, Operators, Regulators, and Law Enforcement – each with their own rights.

SIMRegistration

Proxona’s SIM Registration platform provides Operators / Service Providers with an interface, as well as a suite of APIs, to register, modify, and update SIM cards and associated data within a centralized SIM Registration database. The information contained in this database is used for authentication purposes.

WHY US?

We are a software company built by global telecommunications experts. As such, we use the newest technology, customer-driven development cycles, and our experienced team to make SIM management and registration simple. We are advocates for our customers and the telecom industry we support, and we have played a role in the creation of technology and the development of rules and regulations for over 15 years.

We understand that regulators and operators need scalable solutions that enable them to easily register SIM cards for their customers, without disruptions, at a low price. SIMControl, provides everything that Governments, Regulators, Operators, and Law Enforcement Agencies are looking for, and more.

Customer First

We have lived central solutions ourselves and understand the pain-points. Together, we can solve industry-wide problems.

Cost Effective

Not only do we offer the lowest price, but we also offer automation and process enhancements that save our customers time.

Simple To Adopt

We offer both APIs and GUI interfaces that are simple to use and easy to develop to. Our onboarding process is a walk in the park.

Reliable

We’re here for you. With the cloud, we are able to operate in multiple points-of-presence with layers of redundancy to ensure uptime.

Future-Proof

With the latest technology stack and talented engineers, Proxona provides a solution that will scale, as you scale, for years to come.

SIM REGISTRATION PROCESS.

We make it simple for Service Providers/Operators to register SIM cards manually or integrate our APIs into their existing systems. The manual process, while working with a Consumer, to register a SIM card is as follows:

Step One:

  • Information available in the Operator’s systems:
    • SIM card number.
    • Phone number.

Step Two:

  • Fill in the other/personal fields:
    • First, Middle, & Last Name.
    • Date of Birth.
    • Gender.
    • Home Address.
    • ID Type & Number.
    • Optional: Fingerprints for biometrics.
    • Optional: Photograph.

Step Three:

  • Agree with the defined Terms & Conditions.
  • Submit.
  • After Submit, Consumer receives an SMS notifying them that their profile has been verified successfully.
    • SMS contains a link to download the verification letter for the Consumer’s records.

DEPLOYMENT.

Proxona’s SIMControl solution is designed and developed in a manner that is secure, cost effective, and widely accepted. Working with the local Regulator, the common development and implementation process is as follows:

Phase One

  • Assess the process for the issuance and activation of SIM cards nationwide across all mobile operator networks.
  • Define a conceptual framework for SIM Card Registration for both new and existing subscribers.
  • Define a conceptual framework for continued/future registration across all networks.
  • Identify and document key business processes to support SIM Registration.

Phase Two

  • Deliver detailed specifications; for processes and business rules, data, interfaces, and tools to be handled (biometrics, ID readers).
  • Develop implementation plans, including timelines and deliverables, to ensure that registration of new and existing subscribers is carried out concurrently.
  • Propose and implement necessary amendments to current SIM card activation process to enable registration before activation.
  • Provide and deliver all identified equipment / software requirements.
  • Provide professional expertise to deploy all required infrastructures and systems to integrate key stakeholders in the registration process.

Proxona’s SIMControl solution design supports connectivity between Central Data Centers and SIM Registration Centers, allowing for batch consolidation of daily registration data, online enquiries, and push/pull data aggregation.

MODALITIES.

  • Registration should be simple to ensure that the exercise achieves the purpose of having SIM card subscriber’s data records available.
  • Use of existing Mobile Operator owned and operated support centers, sales outlets, partner centers, partner offices, and distributor / sub‐distributor locations as consumer registration points for the SIM cards.
  • Acceptable means of identification for SIM registration with consideration being given to all persons and all subscribers.
  • Loss/Misplacement of SIM cards.

TIMEFRAME.

The estimated time frame for registration of existing prepaid subscribers is typically 6 – 12 months from the start date of a SIM registration project. All subscribers are expected to register within the predetermined, stipulated time frame from the date of registration exercise commencement.

In order to motivate existing subscribers who fail to register within that time period, we recommend one of the following options:

  • Consumer’s SIM card is deactivated within the mobile operator network premises until registered.
  • Consumer is placed on restricted service if they fail to register their SIM card within the time period.
  • Consumer is placed on a “receive only” list, wherein when a consumer makes a call, a voice message is played instructing them to register their SIM card.

READY TO LAUNCH

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