Time is running out for more than 400,000 prepaid SIM card holders in Cyprus, who have just two months—until November 10, 2025—to complete the mandatory identification process or risk losing their numbers.

This requirement stems from legislation passed by Parliament in April 2024, which gave mobile operators an 18-month window to inform customers and verify their details. The issue is back in focus today as the Parliamentary Committee on Transport meets to finalize regulations before they move to the House Plenary for approval.

Ahead of the committee session, OffsiteNews requested data from the four mobile operators in Cyprus—Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel, and Cablenet—on the number of prepaid SIM users and how many have completed identification.

Only Cyta responded, with spokesperson Lefteris Christou confirming that the provider has 230,000 prepaid SIM customers, but just 20% have completed the process so far. “We constantly remind them through messages and the MyCyta app. The process is very simple; the delay is due to negligence,” Christou told OffsiteNews.

The other three providers—Epic, PrimeTel, and Cablenet—did not provide figures, raising uncertainty about whether they will be ready to present numbers during today’s committee session.

Speaking to OffsiteNews, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Marinos Mousiouttas, stressed that the regulations discussion will conclude today, with only minor details left to resolve.

He noted that MPs will request precise data from each mobile operator on the number of prepaid SIM holders and the number verified so far. “Mobile operators must intensify efforts to ensure their customers complete identification. They must understand there will be no extension,” Mousiouttas said.

The Office of the Commissioner for Communications has also launched an information campaign to remind the public of the requirements. Key points include:

• Identification is free of charge.

• No change of number or SIM card is required.

• Even active SIM cards with little or no recent use must be verified, or they will be deactivated.

• After the deadline, all non-verified cards will be automatically disconnected.

Who Needs to Comply?

• Private individuals: Only adults can register prepaid SIMs. Minors can use them only if verified by an adult.

• Businesses and organizations using prepaid SIMs in:

  • Elevators

  • Alarm or telemetry systems

  • Vending machines and remote installations

  • Drones, GPS trackers, IoT devices

Ways to Complete Identification

• At mobile operators’ retail stores

• Online through providers’ official websites