NTC rolls out SIM card registration in remote areas

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) rolled out the registration of SIM cards in remote areas over the weekend, starting with Barangay Sapang Kawayan in Pampanga's Masantol town.

Among those present during the program rollout were NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, Deputy Commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan, Regional Director Azor Sitchonn, and Masantol Mayor Jose Antonio Bustos.

According to Bustos, the program will assist in the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Act, signed into law last October.

“Suportahan po natin ito para maka-iwas po tayo sa mga text scam, text spam, at iba pang mga mapagsamantalang gawain,” said the mayor.

Under the law, all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) would establish their registration platform where they will onboard their users who present valid identification cards.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) provide a 180-day period for users to register with the PTEs, or else face the risk of having their SIMs deactivated.

The NTC last week said over 14 million SIMs have already been registered with their respective providers as of Thursday, January 4, 2023.

For registration concerns, users of DITO Telecommunity Corp. can visit https://dito.ph/registerDITO, Globe Telecom Inc. at https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg, and Smart at https://smart.com.ph/simreg. — DVM, GMA Integrated News