Mobile phone subscription cut off if personal information is not disclosed

Mobile phone subscribers will have their contracts terminated and telecommunications services terminated if they do not update or adjust their personal information.

Customers can easily buy prepaid SIM cards without registering information at a SIM card store on Pham Van Hai Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City (photo taken on the evening of May 9) - Photo: Huu Thuan

Network operators will be fined 30-40 million VND if they sell or circulate SIM cards with pre-entered subscriber information and pre-activated prepaid mobile services; they will be fined up to 1 million VND per subscriber number if they provide services to subscribers with incorrect information...

This is a new regulation in Decree 49 on administrative sanctions for violations in the fields of telecommunications, information technology and radio frequencies, which has just been issued by the Government.

This regulation aims to manage prepaid mobile SIMs from both sides: customers and telecommunications service providers.

Must update correct personal information

According to Decree 49, each individual will not be limited in the number of prepaid subscribers registered with each mobile network. However, regulations on subscriber information will be much tighter, especially for the first three subscriber numbers/network (previously, each individual was only allowed to register no more than 3 prepaid SIMs with each mobile network).

The new regulation requires that for the first three subscriber numbers, individuals must present documents and sign a paper or electronic copy confirming subscriber information. For the fourth subscriber number and beyond, users must enter into a standard contract with the mobile telecommunications company.

When registering for a mobile subscription, individuals must present an original passport or identity card, or a valid citizen identification card for Vietnamese citizens, or a valid passport in Vietnam for foreign citizens.

For those under 14 years old who want to register for a mobile subscription, it must be done by a parent or guardian.

The new regulation also clearly states: individuals are only allowed to sign contracts and register to use mobile subscriptions for themselves, their biological or adopted children under 14 years old and those under their guardianship as prescribed by law. And individuals are legally responsible for the use of the provided subscription numbers.

Telecommunications service providers have the right to refuse to sign contracts or provide services to individuals who do not present complete documents as prescribed - the new decree stipulates.

The new regulation also requires network operators to deal with mobile subscribers whose subscriber information is not in accordance with regulations.

Accordingly, the network operator is responsible for continuously notifying for at least five days, at least once a day, requesting the subscriber to re-enter into a contract according to the form and transaction conditions.

If the subscriber fails to comply with the request, the subscriber will be suspended from one-way telecommunication services after 15 days from the date of receipt of the notice and from two-way telecommunication services after another 15 days if not complied with.

The subscriber's contract will be terminated and telecommunications services will be terminated after the next 30 days if the subscriber's personal information is still not updated or adjusted.

Telecommunications businesses have the right to provide subscriber numbers whose contracts have been terminated to other individuals and organizations in need - the new regulations clearly state.

Heavy fines for network operators that do not manage subscriber information

According to the new regulations, network operators will be fined VND800,000 - 1 million per subscriber number (total fine not exceeding VND200 million for telecommunications enterprises) if they provide services to subscribers with incorrect information or sign standard contracts or general transaction conditions that are not in accordance with regulations.

Network operators are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of subscriber information according to the provisions of law.

Telecommunications businesses will be fined VND80-100 million if they do not notify or require subscribers to sign standard contracts for individuals using more than 3 prepaid mobile phone numbers.

A fine of 30 - 40 million VND applies to the following acts: selling mobile SIMs without a telecommunications enterprise signing a contract authorizing the conclusion of a standard contract; selling or circulating on the market non-SIM terminals with subscriber information pre-entered; buying, selling, exchanging or using multi-function SIMs, devices with the function of pre-activating services for subscriber SIMs without having to break the SIM to pre-enter subscriber information, pre-activating pre-paid mobile services...

In addition, the network operator will be fined 80 - 100 million VND if it accepts subscriber information provided by an unauthorized telecommunications service point, does not notify or does not request the subscriber to re-enter the contract according to the form and general transaction conditions when discovering that the subscriber information is not in accordance with regulations, does not provide a method to self-check subscriber information or provides information for the subscriber to self-check but is incomplete...

According to TTO