TRA gives three months reprieve to existing prepaid mobile users to register their personal details

This decision was based on the fact that despite the active publicity campaign undertaken by TRA and operators, there still remains a significant number of unregistered subscribers. TRA, based on requests of the operators, wishes to give the users more time to register before being suspended.

TRA's General Director, Alan Horne stated that, "TRA has agreed to extend the date to give 3 extra months to users but will not give a further extension."

He went on to urge all prepaid mobile users to check with their operator that their personal details are properly recorded saying "TRA took the step of requiring registration to support public safety and discourage attempts to exploit telecommunications networks for illicit purposes. It is very important for the users of mobile services to understand the importance of complying with the regulation and to take necessary actions to register their details, if they wish to continue using their existing prepaid mobile phone number."

The prepaid mobile users, whose details are not registered by 31st March 2009, will be suspended. The deadline is not extended for the users, who indicated to their operators, that they do not intend to register their details. These users will not be able to use their phones as from 1 January 2009.

It's worth mentioning that all new purchases of prepaid mobile services require registration of user's personal details in order for the service to be activated.