SIM registration to be done online, free of charge

As many Filipinos asked more queries about the new law, the SIM Registration Act stated that end-users don't have to pay an additional fee when registering their SIM cards.

Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11934 (SIM Registration Act) states that "the registration required under this Act shall be implemented at no cost to the end-users."

The public is also curious what will be the method of SIM card registration. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) stated they are pushing for the online SIM registration procedure.

According to DICT secretary Ivan John Uy, physical registration will be inconvenient as individuals would tend to flock to registration areas.

Uy said that "the preferred mode [of registering SIM] will be online po dahil sa dami po [ng tao] at hindi po kaya na i-physical."

(The preferred mode [of registering SIM] will be online because of the large number [of people], and physical registration is not feasible.)

"Yan po ang ideal situation. Online po ang lahat ng registration at submission ng mga verifiable documents katulad ng passport or driver's license or SSS, GSIS or PhilHealth cards upang maverify," added Uy.

(That's the ideal situation. All registration and submission of verifiable documents such as a passport or driver's license or SSS, GSIS or PhilHealth cards are online to be verified.)

"Mahirap po ang on-site registration dahil madudumog po ng mga tao ang locations na 'yan at di ho kaya. May 144 to 150 million po ang mga prepaid [SIM] cards na na-issue," noted Uy.

(On-site registration is difficult because people will crowd those locations, and it is not possible. There are 144 to 150 million prepaid [SIM] cards that have been issued.)

On October 10, 2022, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM) signed Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act, which mandates all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) or direct sellers of SIM cards to require SIM users to present a valid identification document with a photo upon purchase.

From the effectivity of the law, all current postpaid and prepaid SIM users will be required to register within 180 days, or about six (6) months, to avoid deactivation.

Uy said an individual could register multiple SIM cards as long as he or she is properly identified.

"Wala naman pong limitasyon [sa bilang ng pwedeng i-register na SIM], ang importante po is 'yung SIM card, properly-identified 'yung owner," said Uy.

(There is no limitation [on the number of SIMs that can be registered]. What's important is that the owner of the SIM card is properly identified.)

Meanwhile, registrants will be asked to present any of the following government-issued identification cards: Philippine Passport, Driver's License, Philippine National ID, SSS/GSIS card, UMID card, NBI Clearance, PhilHealth ID, Voter's ID, or TIN ID, among others.

Also read: Globe, Smart support signing of SIM registration act

Uy said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is currently drafting the new law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

"It (SIM Registration Act) will require 15 days ho to be effective after publication sa Official Gazette," stated Uy.

"So once mangyari po 'yun, 'yung IRR malalabas po ng NTC within sixty (60) days at ang palugit po ng registration ay one hundred eighty (180) days o anim na buwan po," added Uy.

(Once it happens, the IRR could be released within sixty [60] days, and the registration will take place for one hundred eighty [180] days or six months.)

What can you say about online SIM registration free of charge? You can leave your comment below.

Via GMA News