The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act was enacted on October 9, 2022. The new SIM Registration Act (SRA), also known as Republic Act No. 11934 mandates that all new subscribers register their SIM cards before activation and that all current customers do the same to prevent deactivation. The new regulation was created in response to the widespread fraudulent messages that many Filipinos encounter.
The State acknowledges the importance of information and communications technology in nation-building and promotes its growth and development. It is also aware that, as valuable as modern technology is, its illicit or malevolent use endangers people's lives, destroys property, endangers public order, and even threatens national security. The State should promote responsibility in the use of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and provide law enforcement authorities with instruments to settle crimes involving its usage, as well as a platform to prevent misconduct.
Start of Registration
This mandatory sim card registration in the Philippines will take effect within 180 days of the law's effectivity. This means that all current SIM Subscribers must register with their respective Public Telecommunication Entity (PTE).
On December 12, 2022, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the SIM Registration Act were made public. The Philippines' sim card registration law will take force and begin on December 27, 2022, and it will finish on April 26, 2023.
Your SIM card will be immediately deactivated if you don't register it within the given time.
How to Register?
For New Users
New SIMs will begin to be offered in "deactivated mode" on December 27, 2022.
Additionally, in addition to ordinary SIMs, embedded SIMs, broadband modems, and internet-of-things devices must also be registered.
You must properly complete a control-numbered electronic registration form with your full name, date of birth, sex, and address to register your SIM Card. Additionally, the form will require the allocated SIM number and its serial number.
The form can also be accessed on the platforms or websites of the relevant PTEs, where users must certify that the information on the papers is accurate and genuine and that they are the same person who completed the form.
For Globe subscribers
visit https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg or go the Globe One app to register starting January 2023.
For Smart subcscribers
visit https://smart.com.ph/simreg.
For Dito Subscribers
visit https://dito.ph/RegisterDITO or go to the Dito app.
The following information will be collected in completing the form:
• Full name
• Birthday
• Sex
• Present or official address
• Identification card and ID number
Requirements to register your SIM Card in the Philippines
To verify the identity of the registrant, you must present any valid government-issued identification cards or documents with their photograph.
Any of the following identification cards or documents with photo can be presented:
• 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
SIM Card Registration for Existing prepaid subscribers
Existing prepaid customers must register on their respective telco's website, just like new subscribers.
After the Act's effective date of last October 28 (180 days), all currently in use SIMs must be registered. Registration may be extended by 120 days.
The SIM will be automatically deactivated if you don't register.
The deactivated SIM may only be reactivated not later than five days after such deactivation.
SIM Card Registration for Minors
Minors' SIM registrations will be made in their parent or legal guardian's name.
To register the SIM, they will need to show an ID and the minor's parent or legal guardian's permission.
SIM Card Registration for Foreign Nationals and Tourists
Foreign visitors who want to stay in the Philippines for fewer than 30 days must register their name, nationality, passport number, and address.
Tourists are required to provide their passport, evidence of residence in the Philippines, a return ticket to their home country, or any other ticket with the date and time of their departure from the Philippines in addition to their passport.
Foreign nationals with other sorts of visas who intend to stay for longer than 30 days must provide the following documentation:
• Passport
• Proof of address in the Philippines,
• Alien Employment Permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employment,
• Alien Certificate of Registration ID,
• School Registration ID for students; or other pertinent documents.
Their registered SIMs are only valid for 30 days and shall be automatically deactivated upon expiration of validity.
SIM Card Registration for Corporations
Businesses or Corporations may also register a SIM that they use on a regular basis.
The following are their requirements:
• certificate of registration
• a duly-adopted resolution designating their duly-authorized representative,
• special power of attorney for the registration of SIM of other juridical entities
SIM Card Registration for Postpaid Subscribers
Since telcos already have the data they need of postpaid subscribers, users just need to validate their information needed in the SIM registration through the telco's platform or website.
SIM Card Registration in Remote Areas
The DICT, NTC, DILG, and DepEd, along with telecoms, will assist with SIM Registration for those who live in distant locations with little access to the internet. Please be informed about this issue in your communities.
For lost or stolen SIMs
Users must notify their telco provider right once if their phones or SIMs are stolen.
Telcos must render the SIM card unusable and be permanently deactivated upon the issuing of a new SIM to the verified user within 24 hours.
Users must inform and provide the telco provider with the following details:
• Name
• Address
• Birthday
• Mobile number
• Other relevant and reasonable information that can fully establish ownership of the SIM
How to change information?
Users must notify their telecom providers of any changes to information like their name or address.
Upon receiving such requests, telco providers are required to implement these adjustments within two hours.
Penalties
The following penalties will be imposed for the following violations:
- For providing false information or documents to register a SIM: Imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or a fine not less than P100,000 but not more than P300,000, or both.
- For the sale or transfer of a registered SIM without complying with the required registration: Imprisonment ranging from 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 refusing to register a SIM without a valid reason: For the first offense, it's a fine of P100,000 but not more than P300,000. For the second offense, a fine of not less than P300,000 but not more than P500,000. For the third and subsequent offenses, telcos can be fined of not less than P500,000 but not more than P1 million.
- For selling stolen SIMs: Imprisonment ranging from six months to two years, or a fine not less than P100,000 but not more than P300,000, or both.
- For breach in confidentiality: Should telcos, its agents or employees reveal information of an end-user obtained during the registration, they will face a penalty of a fine not less than P500,000 but not more than P4 million.
The SIM Card Registration Law is a necessary measure and resolve crimes that involve the utilization of SIM cards. This law is not only a significant milestone in the country but also a positive step for future policies to prevent crimes and for further development of the country.
