Two major telecommunications companies, Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom, have requested the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to extend the deadline for subscriber identity module (SIM) registration.
The deadline, set for April 26, 2023, requires all SIM users to register their SIMs under their name or face deactivation.
The companies cited the need to give ample time to all mobile users, especially those in marginalized sectors and remote areas of the country, to register their SIMs.
"We are filing this request to help give ample time to all mobile users, particularly the marginalized sectors and those located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the country, to register their SIMs," PLDT-Smart first vice president Cathy Yang said in a formal letter of a request filed to DICT and NTC.
They have also set up SIM registration booths and provided physical assistance to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and non-data phone users.
According to Smart, only 46% of their subscribers have registered.
Likewise, Globe Telecom Inc. also called for an extension due to less than half of their active users, 32% or 27.85 million, registering their SIM cards.
The company asked the government to consider alternative IDs and conditional registration to help increase the number of registrations attributed to not having the required government IDs and lack of digital literacy.
“Given these issues, we appeal to the government to extend the SIM registration process to give our customers more time to get their required government IDs and input the required information on our site,” Globe said.
They also urged the government to consider alternative IDs including company IDs, school IDs, and barangay certificates to make registration easier for subscribers.
DICT earlier said it will not extend the deadline for SIM registration reminding the public to take it seriously.
Failure to meet the SIM registration deadline will result in deactivation, which will disable the use of phone calls, text messaging, and mobile data services. This is part of the government's efforts to improve national security and prevent fraudulent activities such as scams and identity theft.
To register your SIM card, use the following official links:
- SMART – smart.com.ph/simreg or simreg.smart.com.ph
- GLOBE – new.globe.com.ph/simreg
- DITO – https://digital.dito.ph/pto/download/app
For questions or reports about SIM Registration, you can call 1326. You can also call these numbers to reach the DICT:
- SMART: 0947 714 7105
- GLOBE: 0966 976 5971
- DITO: 0991 481 4225
