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MCMC fines five telcos for false prepaid SIM card registration

13 Mar 2013, The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a total of RM 920,000 in fines to five telcos for breaching their licence conditions, specifically for failing to ensure proper registration of accurate user information for prepaid accounts.

 

Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission COO Mohamed Sharil TarmiziMalaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission COO Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi

The telcos fined were Celcom Axiata Bhd, Merchantrade Sdn Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Tune Talk Sdn Bhd, Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd and Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd.

Celcom received the most number of fines - eight in total - amounting to RM400,000. Merchantrade was issued seven fines amounting to RM240,000, while U Mobile was fined RM100,000 for four fines. Maxis Mobile was issued three fines amounting to RM150,000. Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd and Tune Talk Sdn Bhd were issued fines of RM10,000 each.

Service providers or their representatives are required to verify the information provided by potential subscribers against the information contained in their MyKad or other official identification like passports.

The registration is to avoid misuse of end user information which is a breach of their licence conditions as prescribed under Section 242 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

"We view the failure to ensure proper registration of accurate user information as a serious offence. We have received numerous complaints and info about cases where individuals' MyKad or IC numbers and names have been used when in fact they never did apply for the service from the said telcos," said Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, MCMC chairman.

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