UPDATE 1-MTN could complete Nigerian SIM card order within six months - executive

* Nigeria ordered all telecoms firms to add ID number to SIM
cards
* MTN says it could do this within six months
* Also says prospects for Nigerian revenues remain intact
* Shares down almost 8%

(Adds details, quote, shares)
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 17 (Reuters) - MTN MTNJ.J could be
compliant with Nigeria's order for telecoms firms to add
National Identification Numbers (NIN) to all registered SIM
cards within six months, its incoming Nigeria head Karl Toriola
said on Thursday.
Nigeria created its SIM card registration rules in an
attempt to stop criminals and insurgents from using untraceable
numbers, with the Nigeria Communications Commission saying
earlier this week that all cards without a valid NIN would be
blocked from Dec. 30. Fulfilling the directive is a daunting task, with the
industry needing to attach the numbers to some 200 million
active mobile phone lines. Providers which fail to comply face
stiff sanctions, including the withdrawal of licenses.
In a call with investors, MTN executives said they had
acquired licences to verify and issue NINs and were building up
infrastructure to complete the task, as well as working closely
with Nigerian authorities to assess the viability of the Dec. 30
deadline.
"I think there's a very realistic chance that we complete
this within six months," said incoming MTN Nigeria CEO Karl
Toriola, pointing out that a portion of its base was already
compliant.
Current Nigeria CEO, Ferdi Moolman, said he didn't see a ban
on the sale of new SIM cards announced earlier in December
lasting as long as six months and that momentum for the local
unit to achieve double-digit service revenue growth remained
intact.
MTN shares were down almost 8% by 1313 GMT.
While the company said it had acquired devices to help it
verify and issue NINs, this could only be done in verified
locations, and not at all points of sale.
Nigerian authorities also have to verify NINs issued by MTN,
which could slow the process as users rush to get the numbers
within the deadline.