Johannesburg - Shortly before the RICA (Regulation of Interception of Communication Act) deadline of June 30, mobile operator Vodacom Group
[JSE:VOD] says that approximately one million SIMs on its network still need to be registered.
The group warned that SIMs not registered in time would be locked, "including the data SIM in your computer modem that is keeping you connected to the internet".
Vodacom stressed that all devices that used a SIM would be affected, even those that may not be obvious. "For example, home alarm systems use SIMs to communicate with security companies and electronic gates at some complexes use SIM technology to contact residents on their cell phones to alert them to visitors," it said.
"The actual registering process takes only a couple of minutes to complete and with over 170 000 Vodacom RICA agents in convenient locations across SA, there is no reason not to register before the June 30," said Portia Maurice, Vodacom's chief officer of corporate affairs.
Contract customers who had not registered would still remain liable to pay their contract, even if the SIM was locked, Maurice warned.
In preparation for the last minute Rica rush Vodacom said it had made special provisions like setting up registration centres in schools, townships and taxi ranks.