TRA extends registration deadline, asks operators to speed up process

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates has confirmed the extension of the deadline for the first phase of its SIM re-registration campaign, following on from an announcement from telecoms operator Etisalat that it would give its customers more time to update their details. The TRA said its decision to extend the timeframe for the initial stage of the process had been prompted by the inability of Etisalat and Du ‘to provide smooth mechanisms to facilitate, accelerate and stimulate subscribers to update their data.’ In a statement on its website, the regulator instructed the two operators to increase the capabilities of their commercial outlets where subscribers can update their information, and asked the pair to speed up the launch of their online registration services to accelerate the process and ease the load on the commercial outlets. Around three million mobile phone subscribers, half of which are Etisalat’s and half Du’s, were given until 16 October to register their details under the first of six three-month phases of the TRA’s re-registration campaign. ‘My Number, My Identity’ was unveiled in June 2012 and launched the following month, and requires subscribers to update their personal data and ensure that their SIM cards are registered under their name.