Just 9% registered? Telcos need to ramp up SIM signup drive – Poe

MANILA, Philippines — Boost SIM registrations since only 9 percent of mobile subscribers have signed up, Senator Grace Poe urged telecommunication companies on Tuesday.

Around 16 million out of the 168 SIM users have registered as of January 9.

“Telcos must ramp up their drive to encourage subscribers to register,“ Poe, sponsor of the SIM registration bill, said in a statement.

“No amount of days will be enough if most of the over 100 million phone users will sign up at the last minute,” she added.

Under Republic Act No. 11934, mobile users must register their mobile numbers to curb cybercrime attacks such as phishing and scams.

Users should register their SIM until April 26. The registration period could be extended for 120 days by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

SIMs that have not been registered by the deadline will be deactivated.

“I am just worried that everybody will try to do it at the very last minute, which will bring challenges in handling the traffic of registrants,” Poe said.

“There may be challenges along the way, but there’s no harm in aiming for a 100-percent registration,” she went on.

In addition, the Senate committee on public services chairperson advised the people to be vigilant against fake or unauthorized sites that could trick subscribers into sharing personal information.

The registration, Poe stressed, is free of charge.

“We are asking the telcos to keep sending messages or embark on an advertising campaign to continuously remind subscribers of the link to their official website or other registration channels,” she said.

JMS/abc