Monday was the last day for people to register their Sim cards under a new biometric system.

The national telecoms regulator has said that some Sim cards have been switched off.

But the bulk of them appear to still be active, allowing users to communicate freely.

There has been no word from the authorities about whether the wider shutdown would still take place.

When the new biometric registration system was announced, the government said it would help fight cyber-crime and fraud.

But critics worry the information could be used to monitor people and jeopardise private communication.