Deactivation of SIM cards

I registered my SIM card in 2017 but left Tanzania 2 years ago to pursue studies abroad. When studying abroad, I stopped using my sim card but kept it in a secure place so that I could reuse it when back. Now that I am back I am surprised to be told by my friends that when they try to reach me, my calls are picked up by someone with a woman’s voice, which has raised suspicion with my wife. I have found out that the network operator gave my line to a new subscriber. Is it permissible in law for a network operator to assign a registered line to another person when it belongs to me?
PL, Dar

Under regulation 8(3) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (SIM card Registration) Regulations, 2018, a network operator is required to deactivate a SIM card and recycle it if the line has remained idle for 90 days consecutively. However, the operator is not supposed to deactivate a SIM card for being idle for 90 days if the subscriber notified the operator in writing that she/he would not use the line for a certain period of time. However, notifying the operator in writing cannot salvage the subscriber if the latter has not used the line for a period exceeding 12 months. If the line is not used for more than 12 months, the operator is required by law to deactivate the SIM card and recycle the SIM card despite a written notification by the subscriber.

In view of the above and considering you failed to use the line for over 1 year, the mobile operator had a good reason to deactivate your SIM card and assign it to another person. As for the woman’s voice, if your wife reads this response, we are sure she will understand!