The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has taken action by temporarily suspending 2.14 million mobile phone numbers whose owners failed to meet the identity registration deadline of July 13. This move is aimed at enhancing security and reducing fraud associated with unregistered SIM cards.
NBTC Commissioner Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn clarified that the affected numbers belong to individuals who possess between six and 100 unregistered SIM cards. As a consequence, their services including calls, SMS, and internet access have been suspended. He emphasized that if these SIM cards are not registered within the next 30 to 45 days, the numbers will be permanently revoked and reallocated.
In a separate initiative, the NBTC, assigned by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), is reviewing 80 million mobile phone numbers linked to over 113 million mobile banking accounts. This audit aims to ensure that SIM card ownership aligns accurately with the account holders, with completion expected by the end of September.
Furthering their efforts towards secure telecommunications, the NBTC has targeted 465 unauthorized cell signal boosters across five border provinces. Of these, 179 devices have already been dismantled to uphold lawful telecommunications operations.
