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Smart files a formal request to DICT and NTC to extend the SIM registration deadline

So far, DICT has been firm about keeping the deadline.

PLDT, Smart Communications, and TNT are filing a formal letter of request to ask the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to extend the April 26 SIM Registration deadline.

“We are here to continuously support the government in its SIM Registration initiative. While we have led in the number of registrations to date with about 46% of our total number of subscribers already registered, which is higher than the industry average, we see the need to give subscribers more time to secure the government IDs required to register their SIMs. We stand ready with the government to support any undertaking to fast-track completing the SIM Registration process as required by law,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

At the time of this article, DICT has been firm about keeping the deadline with barely 14 days left. As of April 7, the agency reports that 62,170,268 SIMs are already registered, which is only 36.79 percent of the country’s total 168,977,773 subscribers.

To promote SIM registration, Smart has set up hundreds of assisted SIM Registration booths in far-flung municipalities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, in close collaboration with NTC, DICT, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the inter-agency committee on remote areas registration, and other public telecommunications entities.

These booths offer information and guidance on how to register Smart or TNT SIMs using acceptable ID cards, as well as provide physical assistance to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those using non-data phones.

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, the measure has proven effective as text scam complaints declined by as much as 93.3 percent.

After April 26, unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated, rendering them unusable for voice calls, text messaging, and other mobile data services. This will affect any digital service you are using that relies on the SIM card, including e-wallets like GCash and Maya, social media accounts, and banking accounts. Here’s a rundown of what happens if you fail to register your SIM card.

The public is reminded to register only through the official links of the telcos. Remember to be vigilant against scammers who might use the situation to steal personal information and commit fraud.

For details on how to register your SIM cards, you can read our post 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

Check out our SIM Registration process comparison between Smart and Globe to give you an idea of what the telcos are doing to boost registrants.

Image: PublicDomainPictures (Pixabay)

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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