The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is considering extending the deadline for SIM card registration beyond April 26, 2023, as only about 25 percent of mobile subscribers have registered their SIMs so far.
According to DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, the agency is studying the possibility of giving more time for SIM card owners to comply with the SIM Card Registration Act or RA 11934, which requires all existing and new SIM cards to be registered with valid IDs and biometrics.
The law aims to prevent crimes such as identity theft, cybercrime, and other criminal activities that are facilitated with the use of unregistered SIM cards.
As of March 7, 2023, only 41,47 million out of the estimated 169.98 million subscribers nationwide have registered their SIMs, according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Lamentillo said that the DICT is working with the NTC and other stakeholders to increase the number of registrants before the April 26 deadline.
She also urged the public to register their SIMs as soon as possible to avoid disconnection or deactivation of their mobile services after the deadline.
See also: What happens if you fail to register your SIM card?
SIM owners are reminded to be cautious and vigilant when registering their SIMs and to only use the official website links of the PTEs.
- SMART: simreg.smart.com.ph
- GLOBE: new.globe.com.ph/simreg
- DITO: https://digital.dito.ph/pto/download/app
You will also receive a confirmation message from your service provider once your registration is successful. For details on how to register your SIM cards, go here.
For concerns regarding SIM registration, you can call DICT’s 24/7 complaint center hotline by dialing 1326. SIM registration assistance services are also coming to telco service and retail centers.
Image: tomekwalecki (Pixabay)
