In case you’re living under a rock, the Philippines is set to implement the SIM Card Registration Law starting December 27 by asking all Filipinos to register their numbers under their name. Before you register your SIM card on the said date, we compiled the things you need to know ahead of December 27.
What information is needed?
Since the SIM card will be registered to you, telcos will need more than just your name: other crucial information that they’ll need include your birthdate, gender, address, mobile number to be registered, and the serial number of your SIM card. While it’s easy to give these details, the serial number might pose a problem to people who are unaware of where to find it.
The serial number is a 16-digit unique code that’s usually printed on the back portion of your SIM card. If it’s not legible, you can check the ICCID on your phone (on iOS devices, it is on the about section), and just check the last 16 digits of the ICCID portion. For Android phones, download this app to get your ICCID (disclaimer: it does not work with phones that use Android 13)
Do note that SIM card registration is mandatory for all new and existing users–including foreigners and minors.
What IDs are accepted?
Accepted government documents include the following: Passport, SSS ID, GSIS e-Card, Driver’s License, NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID, PRC ID, IBP ID, OOWWA ID, BIR ID, Voter’s ID, Senior citizen’s card, UMID, and PWD ID.
Aside from presenting a valid ID, a KYC process will be done, where the registrant should present a live selfie to verify themselves with the IDs they presented. a KYC process should solve our concern regarding the possibility that people might submit fake IDs for their SIM card registration.
Where they can register their SIM?
While the actual SIM registration happens on December 27, telcos like Smart have advised their Prepaid, Bro, and TNT subscribers to register here. Globe users, on the other hand, can register their SIM cards here. For DITO subscribers, you can register here.
Things will be different, however, for Postpaid customers: since telcos usually have the needed data for SIM registration, they will be informing Postpaid customers to verify the documents they have provided prior before their telco will register their SIM. The same applies to enterprise customers as well.
Are there other things I need to know?
For new SIM card purchases (regardless if it is postpaid or prepaid), the person whose name the SIM will be registered to MUST be present when making the purchase–and this is all the more important with foreigners and tourists since SIM cards registered to them are only valid for 30 days UNLESS they have other types of visas. As for minors, their SIM cards should be registered under the name of their guardian or parent.
Since a lot of people will be scrambling over to register their SIM cards (some may have more than one SIM card to register), the DICT is giving everyone 180 days to register their SIM–and can extend by up to 120 days when needed. That means everyone has roughly the entirety of 2023–assuming there are no hiccups with the whole process–to register their SIM card(s).
Those who fail to register their SIM cards will face SIM deactivation, while those who give wrong information can face up to two years in prison and between Php 100,000 to 300,000 in fines. For telcos, they will have to pay Php 500,000 to Php 4 million in fines if they are caught using their user’s data illegally.
