SIM card registration: A step-by-step guide

FROM INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

(Note: We are updating this report to reflect the latest data on how many subscribers have already registered their SIM cards)

MANILA, Philippines—While over two million SIM cards have been registered in the first two days of the listing that is mandated by law, there are still millions who are unfamiliar with the registration process.

One of them is Ofelia Gaon, 52, who told INQUIRER.net: “I heard from the radio that in compliance with a law, I need to have my SIM card listed starting Dec. 27, but I do not know how.”

According to data from telecommunications companies, there are 170 million SIM cards to be registered in the 180-day period set by law—Globe Telecom Inc. (87.9 million), Smart Communications Inc. (68 million), and DITO Telecommunity (14 million).

Several days since the listing started, 23,678,000 users have already registered their SIM cards. The number, however, is just 14.01 percent of the target 168,977,733 SIM cards.

As of Jan. 24, Globe reported 9,819,154 SIM cards registered while Smart reported 11,925,799 and DITO reported 1,933,047.

The registration is mandated by Republic Act No. 11934—the SIM Registration Act—which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 10 to arrest the spread of spam messages and scams.

According to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), SIM card registration assistance services will be made available at retail and service centers of the telecommunications companies.

NTC Deputy Commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan said over radio station Teleradyo that “for assisted registration, subscribers [can] visit the stores or branches of telcos. They have personnel that can help our countrymen who want to register.”

GRAPHIC Daniella Marie Agacer

But for those who wish to complete the registration online, here’s how you can register:

• Access the SIM registration website (Globe and Smart) or application (DITO).
• Globe: https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg
• Smart: https://smart.com.ph/simreg
• DITO: https://dito.ph/RegisterDITO

Enter your 10-digit digit mobile number (example 9171234567) and click the “Register” or “Send OTP (One Time Password)” button.

GRAPHIC Daniella Marie Agacer

Keep in mind, however, that if you are a Smart subscriber, you need to first tick the “I have read and understood the Terms and Conditions” button before you can click the “Send OTP” button.

• If eligible to register, you’ll receive an OTP text message on your mobile phone.
• Enter the 6-digit OTP on the registration website. Note that the OTP expires in five minutes.
• After your OTP is validated, you may proceed with the registration.
• Enter all required fields: Name, Birthday, Gender, Address, Nationality, Registration Type
• Take or prepare a picture of yourself and your government-issued ID.
• Select the type of government ID to be uploaded.
• Click the “Upload/Take a Photo” button to upload a copy of your valid government-issued ID and your photo.
• Tick the checkbox to agree with Privacy Notice, Attestation of Completeness and Accuracy, Marketing and Promotional Permission, and Data Sharing.

Keep in mind that you only need to tick the “required” boxes. It’s up to you whether you want to tick the remaining boxes such as those that are for Marketing and Promotional Permission, which means you’ll receive promotional messages from telcos if you agree.

• Click the “Submit” or “Next” button to finish the registration process.
• A reference number will appear on your screen to signify completion of registration. Keep the reference number as proof of registration.

As announced by Globe, existing Postpaid, Platinum, and Business Postpaid subscribers already have their data with the company and that they only need to wait for instructions or additional questions from Globe.

Existing Smart Postpaid subscribers, meanwhile, need to text “YES” to 5858 to confirm the personal information and government-issued IDs that they had already submitted for their postpaid plan application.

It was likewise stressed that SIM cards for individuals below 18 years old shall be registered in the name of the parent or legal guardian. Those traveling overseas and are using roaming services are also expected to register.

Valid IDs

Here’s a list of official ID cards that will be accepted in registering SIM cards:

• Passport
• National ID
• Social Security Service ID
• Government Service Insurance System e-Card
• Driver’s License
• National Bureau of Investigation clearance
• Police Clearance
• Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID
• Professional Regulation Commission ID
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID
• Bureau of Internal Revenue ID
• Voter’s ID
• Senior Citizen’s Card
• Unified Multi-Purpose Identification Card
• Person with Disabilities Card
• Other government-issued ID with photo

This, as mobile subscribers are required to provide a valid government-issued ID or similar documents with a photo when registering. Subscribers for businesses must provide the business name, business address, and the full name of a legal signatory.

GRAPHIC Jerome Cristobal

It was stressed that providing false information or documents to register a SIM card carries a prison term ranging from six months to two years and a fine between P100,000 and P300,000.

A visiting tourist, meanwhile, needs to present a passport, proof of address in the Philippines, and a return ticket to his or her own country.

Things to keep in mind

Registration will last until April 26, 2023, but this can still be extended for another 120 days.

As stated by the law, failure or refusal to register SIM cards carry these penalties:

• First offense: P100,000 to P300,000
• Second offense: P300,000 to P500,000
• Third and subsequent offenses: P500,000 to P1,000,000

Telecommunications companies, their agents, or employees, will be fined P500,000 to P4 million for breach of confidentiality — or when they directly or indirectly reveal subscribers’ data.

TSB