NTC: Lower end of SIM registration target hit

On the last day of SIM registration, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said Tuesday that the number of registered mobile phone subscriber identification modules (SIMs) is so far within the target range of the agency.

LOOK: SIM registration update as of July 23, 2023. Today, July 25, is the SIM registration deadline. pic.twitter.com/Ch1mNhKQgw

— Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) July 25, 2023

As of July 23, 2023, registered SIMs totaled 105,260,340, accounting for 62.5% of the 168,016,400 total subscriber base.

Interviewed on GMA Integrated News’ “Unang Balita,” NTC Deputy Commissioner John Paulo Salvahan said the agency is targeting to register 100 million to 110 million mobile subscribers.

“Na-hit natin ang lower part ng target ngayon kaya wala na pong extension ng [registration] ng active SIMs,” Salvahan said.

(We hit the lower part of the target now that’s why there will be no more extension of registration of active SIMs.)

Last week, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) stood firm on the deadline, saying there will be no more extension and those with unregistered SIMs will immediately lose connection at 12:01 a.m. on July 26.

Salvahan reiterated that the SIM registration will only be until 11:59 p.m. of July 25.

Despite the deactivation of unregistered SIMs a day after the deadline, the DICT said a five-day grace period for reactivation of the disconnected SIMs will be allowed.

In April, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. approved a 90-day extension of the SIM registration period until July 25 from the original deadline of April 26.

The DICT earlier said it will gradually deactivate some SIM services, such as access to social media accounts and the ability to make outgoing calls, as the 90-day additional registration period moves forward.

Broken down, the 105.26 million registered SIMs are composed of 49.74 million Smart subscribers, accounting for 75.02% of the company’s total 66.304 million subscriber base.

Globe followed with 48.019 million registered SIMs or 55.36% of its 86.746 million total subscribers.

DITO Telecommunity’s registered subscribers, meanwhile, reached 7.5 million or 50.12% of its 14.964 million total customers.

IRR

The implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Card Registration Act took effect on December 27, 2022, after the measure was signed into law by Marcos in October last year.

The SIM Registration Act seeks to end crimes using the platform, including text and online scams, by regulating the sale and use of SIMs through mandating registration to end-users.

The law mandates all telcos to submit a verified list of their authorized dealers and agents nationwide to the NTC and an updated list of the same every quarter of each year. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News