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No extension for SIM registration, April 26 deadline stands says DICT

The news comes as the deadline nears, with barely 15 days left before April 26.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) warns that they are not extending the SIM registration deadline. The news comes as the deadline nears, with less than 15 days left before April 26.

The total registered SIMs as of March 30 is around 54,700,899, which sounds impressive until you realize that the number is only 32.37 percent of the 168,977,773 million subscribers nationwide. This means a huge chunk of the population still has unregistered SIM cards.

The DICT warns that all unregistered SIM cards by the end of the registration period will be deactivated, which will render them unusable for voice calls, text messaging, and other mobile data services. This also means any digital service you are using that relies on the SIM card, including e-wallets like GCash and Maya, will be affected. Here’s a rundown of what happens if you fail to register your SIM card.

“As the deadline for SIM registration draws near, it is imperative that all unregistered citizens take this matter seriously and register their SIMs without delay. Take the necessary steps to register your SIMs today and avoid the inconvenience and deactivation that comes with non-compliance,” said Anna Mae Y. Lamentillo, DICT Undersecretary and Spokesperson.

The SIM Registration law or RA 11934 mandates all SIM card users, both existing and new, to register their SIM cards with their respective telecommunications providers by April 26, 2023. The law aims to prevent the misuse of SIM cards for illegal activities such as fraud, identity theft, cybercrime, and terrorism.

According to the NTC, text scam complaints have already declined by as much as 93.3 percent since the measure took effect.

See also: SIM Registration Update: Smart and Globe compared

The DICT also reminds the public to register only through the official links of the telcos and to remain vigilant against scammers who might offer assistance with SIM registration to steal personal information and commit fraud.

For details on how to register your SIM cards, go here. For concerns regarding SIM registration, you may call DICT’s 24/7 complaint center hotline by dialing 1326. Or you may reach DICT through these contact numbers:

  • SMART: 0947 714 7105
  • GLOBE: 0966 976 5971
  • DITO: 0991 481 4225

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Image: Rendy Novantino (Unsplash)

Bryan is a geek at heart and a tech enthusiast by choice. He has a strong background in corporate communications, marketing services, and customer relations having worked in the telecommunications and banking sectors for over two decades. In his spare time, he enjoys watching clips on YouTube and binge watching shows on Netflix.

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