Telco providers, gov’t agencies launch SIM card registration

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Telecommunication providers and government agencies spearheaded the full implementation of the SIM Card registration act today, December 27. 

Major telecom firms Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity have already posted links to their website where users can register their sim cards easily in just a few steps. 

However, several mobile users took to Twitter and Facebook as the registration portals of Globe and Smart remain inaccessible a few hours after the initial launch. 

In response, Globe Corporate Communications Head Yoly Crisanto explained that they have to fix some issues within the website, adding that their registration portal will be up and running again within the day. 

PLDT-Smart First VP and Corporate Communications Head Cathy also appealed to subscribers to “bear with us” as they increase their website’s capacity to accommodate more users.

At the same time, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched a 24/7 complaint center where subscribers can report their concerns and provide suggestions on how the process can be improved.

According to DICT Spokesperson and Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, they are already expecting some glitches or technical issues to arise during the first two weeks of the SIM registration. 

The complaint center will help address those issues and allow public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to assess “what they need to improve on to make the registration process more efficient and easier for subscribers.”

Meanwhile, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) released a warning to the public against the spread of emails and text messages containing fake instructions and links on how to register their SIM cards and virtual wallets.  

In a Facebook post, the NPC advised mobile users to wait for the official guidelines for SIM registration to be released by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), DICT, and their prospective telecom providers.

All existing SIM users have until June 27, 2023 to register their SIM cards.