Here’s what you need to know
MANILA, Philippines – The National Telecommunications Commissison (NTC) released on December 12 the official implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11934 or the Subscriber Entity Module (SIM) Registration Act, which will take effect on December 27 – fifteen days after publication of the Memorandum Circular.
The measure was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos on October 10 this year amid the proliferation of telecommunication fraud and crime, with the goal of eradicating these illegal activities and providing an easier way to track scammers.
Registration is free for everyone, and may be done virtually through the secure online SIM registration platform of their respective telco providers. Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) are obligated to send end-users a notice of successful submission and acceptance of their regsitration form on the same day.
Users have 180 days from the effectivity of the law to register their SIM cards. The registration may be extended by up to 120 days. Failure to comply during this period will result in automatic deactivation of the SIM. Users are then given only 5 days since the deactivation to reactivate their SIM.
SIMs to be sold in the market would be in “deactivated mode” starting December 27, and would only be activated after completion of registration.
Registration Process
- Accomplish the registration form provided by your respective PTE with the following details:
- Individual (Natural Person)
- Full Name
- Birthday
- Sex
- Present/Official Address
- Type of ID presented and its ID Number
- Juridical Entity (Business or Organizations)
- Business Name
- Business Address
- Full Name of Authorized Signatory
- Foreign National
- Full name
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Passport
- Address in the Philippines
- Type of travel or admission document presented (for persons of concern)
- ID number or number of document presented
- NOTE: SIM cards for foreign nationals visiting as tourists will only be valid for 30 days and will be deactivated upon expiration. It can only be extended upon presentation of an approved visa extension.
- Individual (Natural Person)
2. Present identification cards or documents with photo:
- For individual end-users, any of the following is accepted:
- Passport/Philippine Identification System 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 Card/UMID/PWD Card/Any valid government-issued ID with photo
- For juridical entity end-users, submit the following:
- certificate of registration
- for corporations, a duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative or a special power of attorney
- For foreigners visiting as tourists, present all of the following:
- passport
- proof of address in the Philippines
- return ticket to own country or ticket of departure
3. Input the assigned mobile number of the SIM and its serial number.
Minors
The registration of a SIM for minors will be under the name of the minor’s parent or guardian, and requires a valid ID as well as the parent’s or guardian’s consent to register the SIM.
Postpaid Users
Though telcos already have the data of their postpaid subscribers, end-users are still required to confirm their information and data in the SIM register through the platform or website set up by their telco provider.
Remote areas
Registration facilities will be set up to assist SIM users with limited telecommunication and internet access, with supervision from th relevant government agencies.
Change of Data
Users are tasked to inform their telco providers of changes in their data, and these modifications should be reflected within 2 hours from receipt of request.
Stolen SIM
Users must immediately report their stolen phone and SIM, which will be permanently deactivated by the telco provider upon verification of the user within 24 hours.
PENALTIES
The following penalties will be imposed for the following violations
For providing false information or using fraudulent documents to register a SIM: Imprisonment of six months to two years or a fine P100,000 to P300,000, or both.
For the sale or transfer of a registered SIM without complying with the required registration: Imprisonment of six months to six years, or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000, or both.
For spoofing a registered SIM: Imprisonment of no less than six years or a fine of P200,000, or both.
For telcos failing or refusing to register a SIM without a valid reason and despite compliance by the end-user: First offense – a fine of P100,000 to P300,000. For the second offense, a fine of P300,000 to P500,000. For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of P500,000 to P1 million.
For selling stolen SIMs: Imprisonment of six months to two years, or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000, or both.
For breach of confidentiality by the PTE, its agents or employees: A penalty of P500,000 to P4 million.
You may read the full Memorandum Circular by the National Telecommunications Commission here.
Major Telco Providers in the country have released some guidelines and platforms on how and where their customers can register their SIMs by Dec. 27.
Globe users may visit this site to read more information and register through https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg
Smart customers may visit this site to know more details and register through https://smart.com.ph/Pages/simreg-comingsoon