MTN pre-RICA'd SIM card crackdown

Jan

Jan

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MTN cracks down on illegal SIM cards

Mobile network operator MTN has started clamping down on illegally-registered SIM cards sold by its partner distributors.

The company recently sent a notice informing them it would automatically start deregistering SIMs that were not activated three days after being RICA'd.
 
Often a subscriber’s name would consist of a mix of capitalised consonants, while ID numbers comprised just two or four digits.

RICA does not require any verification of the information with third-party systems like the Home Affairs database.

Doing so would require an active Internet connection, which is not readily available everywhere in South Africa.
Click to expand...

An internet connection isn't needed to require a 13 digit ID number. The ID check sum can also be done offline, while a legitimate ID number can still beat that system, it makes it a lot harder to input a made up ID number.
 
cr@zydude said:
An internet connection isn't needed to require a 13 digit ID number. The ID check sum can also be done offline, while a legitimate ID number can still beat that system, it makes it a lot harder to input a made up ID number.
Click to expand...

They need to store that info on the server side anyways where they can make a api call to DHA. Unless they are trying to say mtn doesn't always have a internet connection.
 
MTN is cracking down the result of a failed system that wasn't built properly, secured properly nor managed properly.

RICA was also just another government blunder. I remember the first time it was a requirement many years ago, I wanted a prepaid SIM. I go to CNA and didn't have my ID nor proof of residence. Was I turned away? No, they said just fill out this form and register for a CNA Loyalty card. We don't need your ID to open it, and once opened we're allowed to use our own database to verify a person for RICA on the SIM cards we sell so you'll be there and we can just RICA you....

And that's one of many many many holes that were found over the years.
 
I use Pre-RICA sims at our clients to check how the MTN network is in their area, this is going to make it a pain in the arse.
 
Even if RICA agents apply the same high standard as the banks, there will still be a gaping loop hole: Just ask a poor person on the street to go and buy a sim for you.
 
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