The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) has been implemented in South Africa, and with it a lot of additional strings attached if you want to get a new telecoms device. This applies to voice or data devices / accounts / subscriptions, and all data and voice service providers.

The registration process was formally introduced at the beginning of July 2009, requiring all the operators to register prepaid customers and contract customers. Mobile operators and retailers should be in the process of rolling out a Web-based application on point-of-sale terminals to register new customers.

Registration requires that people present their full names and surname, a green bar code identification document, or a temporary ID or a passport, to a registration official or in-store when buying a SIM card.

In addition, proof of residence must be provided through any document that includes their name and residential address, such as a bank statement, municipal rates, or retail account. Existing prepaid and contract customers still have 15 months to register.

Says Zygo Zone MD, Denis Brandjes, "For our new and existing iBurst clients, using whatever technology, there is no additional onus placed on the client or ourselves as a service provider. iBurst has always required these documents, so there is no sweat. For pre-paid HSDPA clients though, and the new iBurst pre-paid solution, there certainly is  an additional requirement as demanded by RICA. We will however endeavour to ensure the least complication and anxiety to clients."

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