28/11/2008
The Moroccan telecom regulatory authority (ANRT) plans to limit the number of users of unidentified SIM cards, MAP reported on Thursday (November 27th). Speaking Wednesday before the House of Representatives, Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies Ahmed Reda Chami Chalmi said cell phone services for unidentified users may be "partially or completely" cancelled. Telecom providers have reportedly agreed to abstain from selling unidentified phone chips.
Algeria has already implemented a similar plan. As part of its counter-terrorism strategy, the Algerian government deactivated all unregistered mobile phones in the country on October 10th. Users of unregistered mobile phone accounts were required to either identify themselves or have their SIM cards abruptly shut down.