Papua New Guineans will soon be required to verify their mobile numbers using the national digital identity platform, as the Government prepares to introduce a new SIM registration regime in 2026.
The reform is being promoted as an important step toward improving digital safety, preventing fraudulent phone activity and ensuring a clean and secure telecommunications database.
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| PNG Moves to Tighten SIM Verification Through Digital ID System |
Acting ICT Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr. confirmed the shift after an NEC decision earlier this year, saying NICTA has been instructed to draft the updated regulation. The new rules will align with the National Digital Identity Policy 2025 and incorporate SevisPass, SevisWallet and the SevisDEx exchange system into standard telecom procedures.
Under the upcoming regulation, all adults aged 18 and over must register for a SevisPass and link their active SIM cards through the SevisWallet app. New SIM cards will only be activated once digital ID checks have been completed.
The rollout also introduces age-specific measures. Teenagers between 13 and 17 will receive a SevisPass-Minor, while children under 12 will only use Dependent SIMs under the name of a parent or guardian.
To ease the transition, the Government has set a grace period from 1 January to 30 June 2026 for all mobile users to complete digital verification. Unverified SIMs will be switched off after the deadline.
A dedicated Digital ID Implementation Authority will manage identity services for telecom operators, offering eKYC and customer due diligence solutions. While operators may face regulated service fees, the public will not be charged for registration or SIM linking.
The updated framework will also introduce stronger privacy systems by stopping telcos from storing biometric data. Instead, encrypted digital identity tokens will be used for verification.
Authorities say the reform is expected to reduce criminal exploitation of mobile numbers, support financial sector compliance, and broaden access to trusted digital services right across the country.
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