Tigo starts issuing mobile phone IDs

Mobile operator Tigo said today it has begun issuing phone IDs in the form of ‘Certificates of Ownership’ to its customers this week to meet new, stringent regulations of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRC).

The new rules, announced last week by the TRC, requires mobile users to produce proof of ownership of the mobile they are carrying when required, CEO Dumindra Rathnayaka told reporters. The Tigo ID will be in the form of a card carrying the name, telephone number and National Identity Card number or passport number of the subscriber. He said current customers are required to re-register their connections to ensure compliance with the new regulations as some subscribers may not have the connections in their names. Mr Rathnayaka said that a date when the implementation of the regulation will begin has not been announced as yet.