(Updated)

SIM card registration for both new and existing SIM cards will begin soon. Here’s a step-by-step procedure for avoiding deactivation.

Filipinos who use cellular services must register their existing SIM cards or risk having them deactivated.

On Monday, December 12, the National Telecommunications Commission issued the SIM Card Registration Act’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which will go into effect on December 27.

Subscribers will have 180 days from the date the law goes into effect to register their SIM cards. The registration period can be extended for up to 120 days.

The database is managed by telco operators or public telecommunications entities (PTEs).

The following is the procedure for both new and existing SIM cards:

For New users

New SIM cards will be available in “deactivated mode” beginning December 27.

Registration is completely free.

The registration covers SIMs, embedded SIMs, broadband modems, and internet-of-things devices.

A registration form will be filled out electronically via the telco provider’s secure website.

The telco providers have yet to provide the websites. When the links become available, Rappler will update this story.

The following data will be gathered:

• Full name
• Birthday 
• Sex 
• Present or official address
• Identification card and ID number

You may present any of the following photo identification cards or documents:

• 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

The following details are needed in order for businesses or organizations to use SIMs:

• Business name
• Business address
• Full name of authorized signatory

For Foreigners

The following information must be provided by foreigners who are getting a SIM from a Filipino telco:

• Full name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Passport
• Address in the Philippines
• Type of travel or admission document presented
• ID number or number of document presented

Tourists will only be given 30-day-only SIM cards, which will then become inactive. Only when a valid visa extension is presented can it be extended.

Foreign nationals with other types of visas are not subject to the 30-day limit when purchasing SIM cards.

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.

Existing prepaid subscribers

Existing prepaid customers must register on their respective telco’s website, just like new subscribers.

All currently in use SIMs must be registered 180 days after the Act’s effective date of October 28, 2013.A 120-day registration extension is possible.

The SIM will be automatically deactivated if you don’t register.

The deactivated SIM card can only be reactivated five days after it was deactivated. 

Postpaid subscribers

The postpaid subscriber data is already available to telcos.

However, in order to complete the registration, postpaid subscribers must verify their information and data on the platform or website made available by the telco provider.

Remote areas

The National Telecommunications Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, and all telcos will support SIM registration for registration in remote areas or places with limited internet connectivity.

What if my SIM gets stolen?

Users must notify the telco provider of the following information for lost or stolen SIMs:

• Name
• Address
• Birthday
• Mobile number
• Other relevant and reasonable information that can fully establish ownership of the SIM

Changes

Users must inform their telco providers of any changes, such as changes to their name or address.

After receiving such requests, telco providers must then reflect these changes within two hours.

Stolen SIMs

Users must notify their telco provider as soon as possible of any stolen phones or SIM cards.

When issuing a new SIM to the verified user within 24 hours, telcos are required to render the old SIM card useless and permanently deactivate it.

Penalties

The following violations will result in the following penalties being applied:

False information or documents submitted to register a SIM may result in a sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to P300,000, or both.

If a registered SIM is sold or transferred without being properly registered, there is a penalty of up to six years in prison as well as a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 or both.

Spoofing a registered SIM carries a minimum six-year prison sentence, a P200,000 fine, or both.

For the first offense, telcos that refuse to register a SIM without a good reason will be fined $100,000, but not more than $300,000. A fine of not less than P300,000 but not more than P500,000 is imposed for a second offense. Telcos may be fined not less than P500,000 but not more than P1 million for the third and subsequent offenses.

Selling stolen SIM cards is punishable by six months to two years in prison, a fine of P100,000 to P300,000, or both.

If telcos, their representatives, or employees reveal information about an end-user obtained during the registration, they will be subject to a fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P4 million for breach of confidentiality.

All mobile subscribers must register their SIM cards starting on December 27, 2022, or risk having their service terminated after 180 days or six months.

Here are the links to keep in mind for the SIM Card Registration on December 27, 2022.

For DITO Subscribers, https://dito.ph/RegisterDITO

For Globe/TM/Gomo Subscribers, https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg

For Smart/TNT/Sun Subsribers, https://smart.com.ph/simreg