To reduce scams and criminal activity using short message service (SMS), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has recently enacted the SIM Card Registration Act. As of the 27th of December 2022, the SIM Card Registration Act (Republic Act No. 11934) will be fully implemented. Therefore, all Globe, Smart, Dito, and other cellular network subscribers must now follow the policy. Don’t worry; we are here to provide answers to the questions you may be asking yourself about the entire process to make the procedure a little bit easier for you!
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What is the SIM Card Registration Act?
All SIM card users, both new and current, are required to activate their SIMs by registering them with their service providers. The measure applies to all SIMs issued by Telcos for SMS, voice, data services, or data-only utilized with a fixed wireless broadband modem, M2M service, or IoT devices, regardless of whether they are embedded SIMs (eSIMs) or other variations of SIM cards at present or future technologies. According to the law, all SIM cards sold by telecommunications companies, authorized distributors, or resellers must be in a deactivated state. The purchaser must use official registration sites to activate the SIM card. Thankfully, there is no cost associated with activating your SIM card.
What Happens If I Don’t Register?
Existing subscribers who don’t register will have their SIM cards deactivated. A “deactivated SIM” can no longer be used to make or receive calls, access the internet, or exchange text messages. The cutoff date is April 26th, 2023. There is a chance that the deadline could be pushed back, though, according to the Department of ICT.
Is There a Penalty for Non-Compliance?
The law does, indeed, include sanctions for both persons and telecommunications providers. There is a P300,000 punishment and a possible prison sentence of six months to two years for anyone caught providing false information, using a fake ID, spoofing a registered SIM, or selling a stolen SIM. Meanwhile, depending on the number of infractions, telecoms that refuse to register SIMs without a legitimate justification could be penalized anywhere from P100,000 to P1 million. Also subject to sanctions of P500,000 to P4,000,000 are any telecommunications companies, their agents, or any of their personnel who compromise customer data.
How to Register Your Globe SIM?
Subscribers of Globe, TM, and Globe at Home Prepaid Wifi can now register their SIM cards on the new Globe SIM Registration website. In addition, the GlobeOne app will be released, which will allow for quick and simple registration beginning in January 2023. To register a Globe SIM card, follow these instructions:
- Access the Globe SIM registration website at https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg.
- Enter your 10-digit mobile number (ex. 9171234567)
- Receive a One Time Pin (OTP) text message on your mobile phone.
- Enter the 6-digit OTP on the registration website.
- Enter all required fields: Name, Birthday, Gender, Address, and Nationality
- Take a selfie and select the type of government ID to be uploaded. Click the “attach” button to upload a copy of your valid government ID.
- Tick the checkbox to agree with Globe’s Privacy Notice, Attestation of Completeness and Accuracy, Marketing and Promotional Permissioning, and Data Sharing.
- Click the “Submit” button to finish the registration process.
- A reference number will appear on your screen to signify the completion of registration. Please keep the reference number as proof of registration.
How to Register Your Smart SIM Card?
Registration is necessary for all existing Smart Prepaid subscribers, including those using a Smart Bro Pocket WiFi, Plug-It, Smart Bro, or PLDT Prepaid Home WiFi router with a prepaid SIM card. For registration purposes, you can either insert your SIM card into a mobile device or retrieve the OTP codes in the SMS Inbox using the device’s dashboard. The following is the procedure for Smart Prepaid users:
- Visit the official Smart SIM Registration site at https://smart.com.ph/simreg.
- Enter your Mobile Number example (+63 9181234567)
- Click the “Send OTP” button
- Tick to Agree with Smart’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice
- Type your OTP to verify your mobile number
- Complete your profile information
- Attach a copy of your valid ID
- You will receive an SMS confirmation with your Control Number
- Smart will notify your successful registration via SMS or call
- Subscribers who register will get free 3GB of Free Data.
How to Register Your DITO SIM?
New DITO subscribers can register via the SMS link that will be sent after SIM card insertion. Existing subscribers can register by clicking the SIM Registration banner in the DITO APP. Subscribers will be required to provide the following:
- Enter your Mobile Number (+63 9181234567)
- Click the “Send OTP” button
- Type your OTP to verify your mobile number
- Complete your profile information
- Attach a copy of your valid ID
- Attach a copy of the User Photo with a valid ID
- Tick to Agree with the SIM Registration Acts Requirements
- Tick to Agree with DITO’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice
- You will receive an SMS confirmation with your Control Number
- DITO will notify your successful registration via the DITO app.
- Subscribers will get a bonus of 2GB of all-access data for every successful registration. The bonus data will be sent within 24 – 48 hours upon registration.
How to Register Postpaid SIM?
Postpaid subscribers still need to verify their information and data by completing the telco’s online registration form.
How to Register SIM Cards for Minors?
In order to use a SIM card, users under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s information on file. They will need to show identification and proof of consent from a legal guardian.
I’m a foreigner in the Philippines. Am I required to register my Philippine SIM?
Yes. A registered SIM card issued to a foreign national on a tourist or other temporary visa will be inactive after 30 days. To verify that you are able to register, please check that you have the following requirements:
- Passport
- Proof of address in the Philippines
- Return ticket to country of origin or to another country indicating date and time of departure from the Philippines
- Other pertinent documents, whichever is applicable: Alien Certificate of Registration Identification Card (ACRI-Card) from the Bureau of Immigration or other types of official ID issued by any other visa-issuing agency, Alien Employment Permit from the Department of Labor and Employment or School registration and ID for students, For Persons of Concern or POCs, the type of travel or admission document validly issued by the Philippine Department of Justice.