Tarana Halim tests SIM registration process in disguise
Desk report
State Minister for Post and Telecommunications, Tarana Halim went to the customer care center of Grameen Phone to register one of her own SIMs in disguise on Sunday. She did so to determine whether the SIM users were facing any problems while registering their SIMs following the bio-metric procedure, reports Bangla Tribune.
Tarana Halim had covered her face with the anchal of her saree and stood in line with other people who had come to the service center to register their SIMs. Neither the employees of the customer care nor the other people waiting in line could recognize her.
After registering her SIM she uncovered her face and stood at the side of the center and listened to the problems people were facing while registering their SIMs. One of the Grameen Phone SIM users told her that he did not have a National ID and asked what he should do to register his SIM. Tarana Halim told him, “An application number will be given to those who apply for a national ID. That number be used to register SIMs now. After getting the actual National ID number, you will have to re-register.”
She further explained to the people there, “The people who do not have a National ID can register with their passports, birth certificates or driver’s license for now. However, they must re-register with their National ID later. Foreigners can register with their passports instead of a National ID.” She also advised people not to pay any money for the registering service as it is completely free of charge.
The last date of SIM registration is April 30. She said, “Everyone must register their SIMs by then. Unregistered SIM will be shut down for a few hours after that. If those SIMs are still unregistered after that time period, they will be shut down for good.”
Translated by: Sumaiya Kabir