In accordance with the Information and Communication Technologies Act (Notice 93 of 2023), all Telecommunication Operators in Mauritius are legally obligated to ensure that any SIM card or eSIM is registered on their network only after confirming the identity of the SIM holder. As from October 31, 2023, anyone using an Emtel SIM card or eSIM must re-register and the deadline for registration is April 30, 2024. After this date, all unregistered SIMs will be disconnected. Emtel will soon release a mobile application to simplify the registration process, and instructions on how to re-register your SIM card or eSIM will be provided.
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Why should I re-register my SIM?
As per this new regulation, the proof of identification during registration and re-registration will be validated with Government database to ascertain the identity of the SIM holder.
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Who will be impacted by this new regulation?
For new registration: Adult Mauritian citizens, adult non-Mauritian citizen residing in Mauritius and adult tourists.
For re-registration of existing customers: Adult Mauritian citizens and adult non-Mauritian citizen residing in Mauritius.
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What category of customers will be impacted by this new regulation?
Corporates and Individuals will have to abide to this regulation.
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Is this regulation applicable to customers purchasing new SIM and to existing customers?
This regulation will apply to both new and existing customers.
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What type of SIM cards will be impacted by this regulation?
This regulation will apply to detachable SIM cards and e SIM cards.
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What is the deadline for existing customers to re-register their SIM cards?
Existing customer can re-register their SIM cards as from 31st October 2023 until 30th April 2024. If you have not registered your SIM card by the deadline, it will be deactivated.
To reconnect your SIM card, you will be required to visit an Emtel showroom with your original proof of identification and proof of address.
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What are the document required for a new registration or an existing registration?
Mauritian Citizen:
- The National Identity Card of the user.
- The user’s recent utility bill (<3months) or any other proof of address.
Non Mauritian Citizen residing in Mauritius:
- The passport of the user.
- UID – Unique Identification card
- Residence or Occupational permit.
- The user’s recent proof of address utility bill (<3months) or any other proof of address.
Tourist:
- The passport of the user.
- Proof of address in Mauritius.
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What happens when a person who, for the purpose of registration of a SIM card, gives a false or misleading information to Emtel?
With reference to Regulation 7(5) of the Information and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2023, any person who, for the purpose of registration of a SIM, gives any information or furnishes any document which is false or misleading shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding Rs 50,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.
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What happens when a visa expires for a tourist or a non-Mauritian citizen?
Once a tourist’s or a non-Mauritian citizen’s visa or entry permit is canceled or expired, the Passport Immigration Office will be sharing the information with operators. They will then deactivate the SIM card from their network.
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What happens to the SIM card when someone is deceased?
Where a subscriber passes away, his death will be updated in the relevant Government database and the information will be passed on the operator. The operator will send a notification on the number for SIM card deactivation within 15 days for individual customers and 30 days for corporate customers if the number is not transferred and then the SIM will be blocked for any activity.