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DICT responds to telcos’ request to extend the SIM Registration period: April 26 deadline stands

As of this writing, an extension is still not happening and the April 26 deadline will remain.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has received and acknowledged the request of telecommunications companies to extend the SIM registration period.

Early this month Smart filed a request to extend the registration period to another 120 days to give subscribers more time to secure valid IDs or proofs of identity required under the Republic Act No. 11934 or SIM Registration Act. So far, as of this writing, an extension is still not happening and the April 26 deadline will stand.

As of April 7 (the last count released by the agency), 62,170,268 SIMs are registered so far. The number accounts for 36.79 percent of the total 168,977,773 subscribers nationwide.

The SIM Registration law or RA 11934 mandates all SIM cards to register 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 all digital service 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.

Remember to register only through the official links of the telcos:

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.

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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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