[kictanet] Safaricom repossessing numbers (What the heck!)

Mon Sep 7 17:28:35 EAT 2020

Steve

Thank you for the comprehensive response. Questions:-

1. For numbers that are solely used for data. Would these numbers also
expire if you don't top-up for voice? Or does the data top-up meet the
regulatory requirement?

2. How about numbers that are solely used for Mpesa?

Regards

*Ali Hussein*

Digital Transformation

Tel: +254 713 601113

Twitter: @AliHKassim

Skype: abu-jomo

LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
<http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>

Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
organizations that I work with.

On Mon, Sep 7, 2020 at 4:21 PM Stephen Chege via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Hi Brian,
>
>
>
> We are very sorry for your experience, and thank you for taking time to
> discuss the matter with us and also raise it in this forum.
>
>
>
> For some context, Safaricom’s adheres to global best practice as set out
> by the ITU who state that a mobile number assigned to you should be topped
> up at least once every 90 days in order to be considered an active
> customer. Further, the Communications Authority’s reporting requirements
> indicate that a number needs to undertakes a chargeable transaction within
> 90 day period for it to be considered active. This includes, the making of
> any chargeable outbound calls, sending chargeable SMSes, accessing mobile
> data services or re-charging of your account.
>
>
>
> This is because numbering resources are limited, hence necessitating their
> efficient use by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Notably, MNOs have now
> exhausted the 07XXXXXXXX series, requiring the addition of the 01XXXXXXXX
> for mobile subscribers. Related to this, Safaricom and other MNOs need to
> demonstrate to the CA that existing numbers allocated to them are active
> and in use prior to being allocated a new mobile prefix. As a result of
> this, unfortunately MNOs are unable to accommodate indefinite assignment of
> numbers to customers, particularly where there is no usage.
>
>
>
> To communicate the above to our customers, we clearly state in our
> Conditions of Use of our Services that customers are required to have a
> chargeable transaction within 120 days (an extra 30 days over and above the
> standard 90 days) in order to keep their numbers active. In the absence of
> the same, the Conditions further state that we reserve the right to
> deactivate and recycle the number assigned to a customer due to inactivity.
>
>
>
> In your particular case, we note that you had not topped up the number
> since November 22nd 2019. We further note that there was no chargeable
> transaction for a period of at least 120 days. We sent you several
> notifications via SMS (at least three according to our customer care team)
> before the number was recycled to request that you recharge so that it did
> not expire. These notifications are standard practice for all customers
> whose numbers are in a similar state.
>
>
>
> Regarding the identity issue, we encourage all customers to ensure their
> relevant number remains active for as long as they may need it. It is also
> worth mentioning that several of the sites you have mentioned also have
> alternate means to enable users to either change their number to a new one,
> or to switch their authentication method as necessary.
>
>
>
> I am available to engage further with you on this if needed.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> *Chief Corporate Affairs Officer*
>
> *Safaricom PLC*
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* kictanet <kictanet-bounces+schege=
> safaricom.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke> *On Behalf Of *Brian Munyao Longwe
> via kictanet
> *Sent:* Monday, September 7, 2020 2:13 PM
> *To:* Stephen Chege <SChege at Safaricom.co.ke>
> *Cc:* Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Safaricom repossessing numbers (What the heck!)
>
>
>
> This is clearly a (big) problem.
>
>
>
> I sincerely hope that folk at MOICT and CA are following this discussion.
> This is squarely a policy/regulatory issue. SAfaricom is not going to
> "help" anyone of their own volition.
>
>
>
> Mblayo
>
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 7, 2020 at 11:24 AM Eric Mugendi via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Interesting subject. I bought a line recently, and I now get reminder
> texts from Dlight that are meant for someone named Jane Kosgei reminding
> her to make daily payments. The line was also used to take a loan on
> Branch, who are also sending reminders that this needs to be paid. It was
> used to set up a Facebook account, and Lord knows which other accounts I am
> yet to discover.
>
> As far as I'm concerned, I bought a new line, and it's not my job to reach
> out to these people and ask them to remove my number. I've tried with
> Dlight, but they still send texts every day. The service provider should
> alert you when you buy a new line showing which services it is subscribed
> to, or is this too much to ask?
>
>
>
> *Eric Mugendi*
>
> about.me/mugendi
>
> [image: Image removed by sender. Eric Mugendi on about.me]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, 7 Sep 2020 at 11:11, simiyu mse via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> I remember losing a number that way before mpesa became a thing. The
> inconvenience was simple, notifying people of your change in number, losing
> a few deals and life resumed. Not so much anymore with mpesa, ecitizen,
> KRA, and many other 2FA services being linked to this number.
>
>
>
> I believe with Mpesa effectively acting as a bank account for people now,
> the current quiet 6 month countdown is not very ergonomic. With people
> using other providers as primary and keeping the safaricom line as
> secondary/mpesa/ecitizen etc, it is time Safaricom introduced notification
> methods on this pending loss of line. I mean we get birthday texts, it is
> not any more difficult to implement.
>
>
>
> Either by sending emails a month to expiry, texts to your primary line
> (the saf one in this case) and/or a secondary line. Even option for next of
> kin. This gives one an option to salvage the issue before it turns quite
> tumultuous. With our numbers being our identity in very many services.
>
>
>
> I remember Big Green was handing over KSh. 500m of unclaimed assets to
> UFAA a short while ago, so there is alot done right, this just needs mild
> sanding.
>
>
>
> Regards.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 5, 2020, 1:30 PM Barrack Otieno via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Listers,
>
>
>
> I think it might be good to give a right to reply to Safaricom on this
> issue, not sure if Steve is still on the list or if this issue has been
> brought to his attention. I personally would like to be educated on the
> current state of affairs.Many folks are buying simcards for frivolous
> reasons and throwing them away, i guess it is a tough balance for the
> Telcos and
>
>
>
> On Sat, 5 Sep 2020, 10:16 am Wainaina Mungai via kictanet, <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Pole sana Brian,
>
>
>
> On this one, many people can relate. I look forward to a solution that
> will ensure we get to keep our lines and have to give express authority to
> have the same transfered.
>
>
>
> Wainaina
>
>
>
> On Sat, 5 Sep 2020, 08:21 Twahir Hussein Kassim via kictanet, <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Totally agree with you Maria!
>
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 4, 2020, 10:37 PM maria at afrikaict via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Hi Brian and Listers:
>
>
>
> That’s odd but understandable. Have had my Safcom for the 20 years I have
> been Washington DC Diaspora and yes there are times I have been gone for
> several months fortunately not YEARS at a go!
>
>
>
> So the secret is just loading enough airtime and doing one small
> transaction like buying airtime once a month!
>
>
>
> I did however have a shocking one with my Telkom Kenya line I have used
> for 18 months 0770722018 just rudely assigned to someone else yet I was
> MOSTLY in Kenya and used this LINE DAILY as the BETTER MORE AFFORDABLE
> OPTION!
>
>
>
> Our Telcos can be RIDICULOUS in “FOLLOWING” set out regulations in a VERY
> SELECTIVE MANNER!
>
>
>
> My SAFCOM MY MAISHA MY IDENTITY! I feel for you Ndugu Longwe, That one
> fight it out hata kama ni KORTINI!
>
>
>
> My two cents take on the matter!
>
>
>
> Baraka,
>
> Maria
>
> On Friday, September 4, 2020, Brian Munyao Longwe via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Hi folk,
>
>
>
> It's been a long time. I hope you are all well?
>
>
>
> So - mimi niko na issue.
>
>
>
> My Safaricom number 0715964281 has apparently been repossessed and sold to
> someone else. The other day I opened up my Safaricom app to send some
> m-pesa to my daughter as she transits through Nairobi from Malaysia and
> shock on me! It displayed the name as "Beatrice Chelangat"
>
>
>
> As many of you know - I have been "diaspora" for a good number of years
> (close to 9) and am currently based in Malawi. I went to the Kenyans in
> Malawi Whatsapp group and mentioned the issue and was told that my line is
> gone because I failed to top up in over 6 months. (This is very true, I
> think the last time I used the line was more than 8 months ago).
>
>
>
> What I find surprising is that this has never been a problem in the
> preceding 9+ years that I have been diaspora. My line has many times gone
> more than 6,7,8 months without a topup - but always "wakes up" when I load
> airtime. And m-pesa has always worked. What gives?
>
>
>
> I am distressed because my m-pesa, my e-Citizen, NTSA, bank accounts and
> many other digital assets / identity related items are linked to this
> number which I have had for the past 15+ years. My digital identity (and
> that of many others in similar predicament) is at risk. How did CA allow
> this kind of reappropriation to happen without an extensive process?
>
>
>
> I would expect that at a minimum - after the expiry of a period of
> non-use, and several alerts sent to the number Safaricom (or any other
> mobile operator) should publish a gazette notice listing numbers (and
> associated registered persons) they want to deactivate/repossess and allow
> a period (3 months?) for the owners to claim their number. At the end of
> this period then admittedly no one should complain.
>
>
>
> Otherwise as far as I am concerned I have just been the victim of a
> sim-cloning scam perpetrated by the same company that provides me with the
> telecoms service!
>
>
>
> I would like to hear what the thoughts of the many much brighter people
> than me on this group are....
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Mblayo
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
>
> **************************** Dr. Mary Ngunyi*
>
> *Afrika ICT Strategies Inc.*
>
> *Technology Consultant*
>
> *US:1-301-642-5345;KE:+254-733-503-110;770722018;722802420*
>
> *mariangunyi at gmail.com <mariangunyi at gmail.com> *
>
>
>
> This message contains privileged information protected under INTERNATIONAL
> privacy and security laws.  If you receive this message by error do not
> circulate it, it is an infringement on Afrika ICT Strategies Inc., and the
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>
>
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> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
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> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
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>
>
> C2 - Safaricom Internal
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