The country’s over 150 million mobile subscribers are mandated to start the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration with their respective telecom operators starting December 27 this year, according to the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) guidelines.
In 13- page NTC memorandum circular No 001-12-2022, the Rules and Regulation Implementing Republic Act No 11934 otherwise known as the SIM Registration Act was published on December 12 and will take effect 15 days after publication on December 27, failure to register during the period will result to the deactivation of their SIM cards.
Edgardo Cabarios, NTC consultant, said the SIM card registration will start on December 27 and will run until the end of April, or within 80 days from the effectivity of the law on October 28.
It may be extended by the Department of Information and CommunicationsTechnology.
“All existing SIM subscriber/end-users shall register within 180 days from effectivity of the Act. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days. Failure to register the existing SIM within the period prescribed shall result in the automatic deactivation of the SIM. The deactivated SIM may only be reactivated after registration; provided, however that reactivation shall be made not later than five days after such automatic deactivation,” the NTC rules said.
“Under the Section 4, in order to regulate the registration and use of SIMs, all end-users shall be required to register their SIMs with their respective PTEs (Public Telecommunications Entities) as pre-requisite to the activation thereof,” the rules stated.
The rules cover all SIMs, including embedded SIMs, other variations/technologies and other future technologies which are provisioned by any PTEs to provide SMS, voice and/or data services.
These include SIMs intended for data-only or used for fixed wireless broadband modem and or wireless local loop machine to machine service and Internet of Things.
The registration process will be done electronically.
“The registration form shall be accomplished electronically through a secure platform or website to be provided by the PTEs to their respective subscribers. The same shall include a declaration by the end-user that the identification documents presented are true and correct and the said person is the one who accomplished the registration form,” the NTC rules said.
Upon effectivity of the act, telcos are also mandated to deactivate all prepaid SIMs for sale to the public.
“Deactivate all prepaid SIMs for sale to the public upon the effectivity of the Act. Otherwise, the concerned PTE shall be liable for the penalties prescribed under the Act,” the NTC said.
Telcos are also ordered to deactive the SIMs within 24 hours from receipt of information on the death of the end-user, loss or theft of a SIM, or request for deactivation.
Also to be deactivated temporarily or permanently are SIMs used for fraudulent text or call, upon due investigation.
Telecom firms are ready to start the SIM card registration this month.
“We are ready to roll out our SIM registration processes after months of preparations, which have included, among others, studying best global practices and technology solutions from other countries that have already implemented SIM registration. We will release more information about the SIM registration portal via our official channels in the next few weeks,” said Roy Ibay, Smart Communications Inc. head of regulatory.
In compliance with the law, Globe Telecom Inc. said it will launch its online SIM registration platform and start selling new SIMs in deactivated mode.
The company added that all new SIMs must be registered to enjoy Globe services, while existing SIMs should be registered within 180 days or six months from the effectivity of the law.
There are an estimated 87.9 million SIM users under the Globe network.
Adel Tamano, DITO Telecommunity Corp. chief administrative officer, for his part said, “We support this important initiative of the government to protect the public from phishing and similar types of fraudulent activities. We will do our level best to make the registration process as simple and painless as possible for new DITO subscribers and our 14 million existing customers.”
Meanwhile, the members of the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) yesterday expressed optimism the Open Access bill will finally be passed in this Congress.
In a statement, the JFC said since House Bill No. 6 was approved early in the 19th Congress, the Senate will have enough time to deliberate and approve the measure, especially considering no less than the Senate President filed a counterpart to the Open Access bill filed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Jr.
The House of Representatives approved HB No. 6 on third reading before going into the December recess.
This is the third time that the House has approved the bill on third reading after approvals in both the 17th and 18th Congresses. The bill failed to get Senate approval in both Congresses.
JFC backs the Open Access bill as it seeks to address the need for fast, reliable, and affordable internet or data service.
“Enactment of the bill will unlock the market and develop a competitive environment to the benefit of the Filipino public. It lowers regulatory
barriers and costs
of entry for market players offering internet service and promotes fair and open competition at different segments of the data transmission network,” JFC said in a position paper.
