Algeria tightens mobile telephone security

2008-03-02

The Algerian government has ordered domestic mobile phone companies to end the sale of anonymous mobile phones and SIM cards, given the devices' role in a series of terrorist attacks in the country. The Algerian companies have been told to identify every subscriber by April 20th or the accounts will be blocked.

By Mohand Ouali for Magharebia in Algiers - 02/03/08

[File] Anonymous SIM cards have long been a weak point in Algeria's campaign against terrorism. Mobile phone providers are required to provide identification for all customers to the government by April 20th.

Concerns over the use of mobile telephones in terrorist bombings have prompted the Algerian Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPT) to call a halt to the proliferation of unidentified SIM cards. Algerian security officials say terrorists have used the anonymity and ready availability of mobile phone cards to their advantage.

Officially, the sale of subscriber identity module cards for telephones must include a contract wherein the new subscriber is identified by name. In recent years, however, consumers have not been required to fill in forms or purchase cards only from approved retailers. Opting for lower prices, they have chosen to buy phone cards from street vendors and tobacconists who do not request identification.

Although this was widely known, the phenomenon caused no undue concern. That was until security services revealed that a number of bombings had been triggered remotely using mobile telephones with unidentified SIM cards, which rendered criminal investigations more difficult.

Even though Algerian mobile telephone operators Mobilis, OTA and Nedjmam were asked to control sales of SIM cards several months ago, nothing changed. On February 27th, however, ARPT council chief Mohamed Belfodil ordered the companies to introduce systematic identification of their subscribers and put an end to the anonymous SIM cards. If their owners still remain unidentified at the end of April, he warned, the phones will be blocked automatically.

Speaking at a forum in Algiers, Belfodil said that out of a total of 28 million mobile telephone subscribers, 10 to 15% have not been identified. Up to now, he explained, "the ARPT has kept from using blunt methods for economic reasons", but the present clean-up procedure was put in place with the co-operation of the operators.

According to Belfodil, the changes will yield certain benefits for consumers. For example, it will be possible to create a directory of mobile telephone subscribers.

He also announced that the changeover to 10-digit numbers launched on February 22nd has been smooth thus far. By the end of March, he said, steps will begin toward building universal telephone service in Algeria, which will enable those living in rural and less accessible areas to receive telecommunication services. In addition to State funding, the project will be financed by contributions of up to 3% of annual turnover from telephone network operators.

Belfodil highlighted the possibility that the new procedures would allow both fixed and mobile subscribers to keep their telephone numbers, even if they change service providers.

"The citizen will become the owner of his number once national roaming is in place," he said.

With around 28 million mobile telephone subscribers (compared with 86,000 in 2000) Algeria is second only to Egypt in user penetration among countries in the region, Belfodil said.

According to ARPT estimates, the Algerian telecom sector has created 200,000 jobs and is worth 327 billion dinars, or 4% of Algeria's GDP.