Mobile phone registration in Papua New Guinea: Will the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Amanda Watson

doi:10.24135/pjr.v26i1.1094

Amanda H. A. Watson Australian National University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24135/pjr.v26i1.1094

Keywords: cell phones, communication, Melanesia, mobile phones, Pacific studies, Papua New Guinea, registration, security, SIM, technology, transparency

Abstract

Commentary: The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has introduced a requirement for mobile phone registration. This commentary is a comprehensive analysis of the registration regulation, the process and key challenges. The paper is based on close observation of developments over several years, including attendance at court cases on the issue. The commentary includes: a description of the regulation, definitions of relevant terminology, a timeline of events, reflections on personal experiences, comparison to other countries, and discussion of related issues. In weighing costs against benefits, the author aims to determine the value of such a regulation. A key concern is the risk of poor and disadvantaged people being excluded from mobile phone ownership. While many countries in Africa and elsewhere have introduced similar requirements for registration with the stated objective of improving security, there is little evidence available that this measure does in fact reduce crime. Additionally, in Papua New Guinea, most people do not have any form of written identification documentation, which makes the process of mobile phone registration challenging.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Gillwald, A. (n.d.). African nations use SIM card question to mandate control. Research ICT Africa. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://www.researchictafrica.net/publications/Other_publications/2015_Gillwald_Terror%20fear%20enables%20veil%20of%20surveillance.pdf

GSMA (2016). Mandatory registration of prepaid SIM cards. GSMA. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GSMA2016_Report_MandatoryRegistrationOfPrepaidSIMCards.pdf

Gware, C. (2020, March 30). SIM deactivation deadline pushed back. Loop PNG. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from http://www.looppng.com/tech/sim-deactivation-deadline-pushed-back-91062

Highet, C., Nique, M., Watson, A. H. A., & Wilson, A. (2019). Digital transformation: The role of mobile technology in Papua New Guinea. London, UK: GSMA.

Loop Technology (2018, January 8). Register your SIM for safety, security: Basil. Loop PNG. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from http://www.looppng.com/tech/register-your-sim-safety-security-basil-71973

Mamabolo, M. (2017, April 4). Analyst says SIM card registration in Uganda is ill-advised. ITWeb. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://itweb.africa/content/P3gQ2MGxEdGqnRD1

Moi, C. (2020, March 31). Nicta moves sim card deadline. The National. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://www.thenational.com.pg/nicta-moves-sim-card-deadline/

Mpairwe, H. (2018, April 18). UCC resumes SIM card registration and replacement exercise with tough conditions on multiple subscribers. TechJaja. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://techjaja.com/ucc-resumes-sim-card-registration-and-replacement-exercise-with-tough-conditions-on-multiple-subscribers/

Pokiton, S. (2018, May 16). SIM registration extended. Loop PNG. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from http://www.looppng.com/tech/sim-registration-extended-76603

Song, S. (2016, January 6). What if everyone had free 2G mobile internet access? ICTWorks. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://www.ictworks.org/what-if-everyone-had-free-2g-mobile-internet-access/#.Xp0kb67ivIW

Wani, D. (2018, May 17). More time to register. The National. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://www.thenational.com.pg/more-time-to-register/

Watson, A. H. A., (2010). ‘We would have saved her life’: Mobile telephony in an island village in Papua New Guinea. ejournalist, 10(2), 106-127.

Watson, A. H. A., (2011). Early experience of mobile telephony: A comparison of two villages in Papua New Guinea. Media Asia, 38(3), 170-180.

Watson, A. H. A., (2012). Tsunami alert: The mobile phone difference. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 27(4), 46-50.

Watson, A. (2013). Mobile phones and media use in Madang province of Papua New Guinea. Pacific Journalism Review : Te Koakoa, 19(2), 156-175. https://doi.org/10.24135/pjr.v19i2.223

Watson, A. H. A., & Park, K. R. (2019, August 13). The digital divide between and within countries. Devpolicy. Retrieved on 20 April 2020, from https://devpolicy.org/the-digital-divide-between-and-within-countries-20190813/

Watson, A. H. A., Sabumei, G., Mola, G., & Iedema, R. (2015). Maternal health phone line: Saving women in Papua New Guinea. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 5, 120-139.