16/09/2008
The deadline for deactivating unidentified SIM cards and cell-phone lines has been extended until October 10th by Algeria's Post and Telecommunication Regulation Authority (ARTP), local press reported on Tuesday (September 16th). ARTP has identified some 30 million subscribers to cell phone service providers AT Mobile, Djezzy and Nedjma. Some 4 million SIM cards, however, remain unidentified. The deactivation move, which aims at putting an end to SIM card sales on the black market, is part of government efforts to tighten security, given the devices' role in a series of terrorist attacks in the country.