Tanzania is set to carry out a fresh biometric registration of all SIM card holders from May 1st to September.
The aim is to limit the number of mobile phone numbers an individual can own to a single line per network.
There are more than 40 million mobile phone subscribers in Tanzania and in recent times, an increase in cases of mobile phone fraud and cyber crimes has been largely attributed to the use of unregistered SIM cards.
According to the Acting Corporate Communications Manager, Communication Regulatory Authority, Semu Mwakyanjala, the new registration process will boost security and put cybercrime in check.
Mwakyanjala says the current system lacks important subscriber details that are vital for the national identity card registration initiated two years ago.
The move will also stop individuals from holding multiple lines of the same network, most of which are being used for fraud and theft.
But the regulatory authority adds that subscribers will be allowed to own multiple numbers from different networks, provided they apply in writing to the regulatory body.