Rules take effect requiring subscriber ID verification and limiting multiple SIM ownership

Rules set down by the Hungarian telecoms regulator which tighten procedures for mobile subscriber identification and limit the number of pre-paid mobile SIM cards registered to a single subscriber entered into force on 12 January 2017, following a public consultation. The National Media & Infocommunications Authority’s (NMHH’s) decree, which transposes sections of Hungary’s Electronic Communications Act, mandates operators to implement and perform stringent subscriber information reconciliation procedures both as a prerequisite for all new subscriber agreements and annually for existing agreements. Service providers have until 30 June 2017 to review their customer agreements and formally identify all existing subscribers, with any remaining agreements not linked to a verified subscriber identity to be terminated after this date. The authority also confirmed on its website that a limited number of pre-paid SIMs may be registered with each identity, specifically ten SIMs per individual subscriber and 50 SIMs for business subscribers. Customers who currently have pre-paid subscriptions in excess of these limits must declare which ones they intend to keep; pre-paid cards in excess of these limits will be terminated as of 1 July 2017.