Today marks the first day that the SIM registration law is implemented after much deliberation and hesitation by both public and private entities. We have prepared a complete guide based on the latest news issued by the government and the telcos themselves.
What’s Covered by the SIM Card Registration Law? All kinds of these products are required to be registered under the law: Mobile phone SIMs Embedded SIMs Broadband modem SIMS IoT (Internet-of-things) devices with SIMs, such as smart watches, smart tags, smart security systems, fitness trackers, etc.
- For Globe Prepaid, TM, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi, Globe Mobile WiFi and Globe Business prepaid subscribers may register their SIMs at https://globe.com.ph/simreg or customers can also use the Globe One app in order to register to start January 2023.
- Smart advised subscribers to log on to https://smart.com.ph/simreg.
- DITO subscribers can open https://dito.ph/RegisterDITO or go to the Dito app.
- Currently, for PLDT subscribers, PLDT will contact you soon to share the URL and detailed process for SIM Registration. This goes for prepaid and postpaid subscriptions.
What Happens to Fake Accounts or Identities? Anyone caught using fake identities or providing wrong information can face a fine of Php 100,000 to Php 300,000, plus possible jail time of up to 2 years.
Detailed backgrounder on requirements
Registration is free.
Moving forward after the 27th of December 2022, all SIM cards sold will be in “deactivated mode.”
The Telco provider will be responsible for maintaining the database of information and will provide a secure platform for their subscribers.
Subscribers have 180 days (beginning on December 27) to complete the registration process.
Better have the following ready:
- Full name
- Birthday
- Gender
- Present or official address
- ID number
You might also like to read: Poe raises verification process in SIM registration rules
Foreigners who will use SIM cards from local telco companies during their stay in the country are likewise required to register and provide the following details:
- Full name
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Passport
- Address in the Philippines
- The type of travel or admission document presented
- ID number or number of documents presented
SIM cards held by foreigners will only be valid for 30 days. They can be extended upon presentation of a valid and approved visa extension.
Acceptable IDs and documents (with photo) for e-Sim Registration:
- Passport
- PhilSys ID
- SSS ID
- GSIS ID
- Driver’s license
- NBI clearance
- Police clearance
- Firearms’ license to own and possess ID
- PRC ID
- IBP ID
- OWWA ID
- BIR ID
- Voter’s ID
- Senior Citizen ID
- UMID
- PWD IC
- Any valid government-issued ID with a photo
Registration for minors – will be under the name of the child’s parents or guardian. The parent must provide his or her consent to register the child’s SIM and to provide the child’s IDs and personal information.
Deactivated SIMs (due to late registration) may be reactivated five days after deactivation.
SIMs that are under a business or a company must provide the business name and address, and the full name of the authorized signatory.
Postpaid subscribers are already considered registered, but they must confirm the existing information and data with their telcos.
Suppose a subscriber lives in a remote area or has limited technology. In that case, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, along with the National Telecommunications Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Education, as well as all telcos, will help them register.
If a SIM card is stolen along with the phone, the owner must immediately inform the telco and provide the following details: name, address, birthday, mobile number, and other relevant and reasonable information that can prove that the owner lost the SIM.
Review on objectives of the SIM Registration Law
RA 11934, the first law signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to regulate the registration and use of SIMs by mandating all end-users to register their SIMs with their respective telecommunications networks before their activation.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to help the national government in its information campaign on the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, which takes effect on Dec. 27.
“As we seek to ensure public safety even in the online space, I encourage LGUs to exert all efforts to promote responsible use of SIM cards, educate their stakeholders on the benefits of mandatory SIM card registration and guide them through the whole registration process,” digressed DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. He further added, “The SIM Registration Act will aid the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement authorities in curbing rising electronic communication-aided criminal activities in the Philippines such as mobile phishing, spam text messages, online scams, bank frauds and identity theft.”
After much hemming and hawing, Republic Act 11934 or the “Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act” is now for real. My take on this is a go-ahead but let’s also keep a very proactive eye on how the telcos and government will be using the information either as a team or as individual entities, too. After all, our privacy is still held sacred in this digital age. May scammish and questionable acts stop completely. That’s definitely a welcome sigh of relief. What’s your take on this, folks? Just comment down below, we always look forward to hearing from you guys! Cheers!
