CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has turned down the request to extend the registration of SIM card which is set to end on April 26, 2023.
DICT found no valid reason to grant the request of Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) or DITO Telecommunication Corporation.
“At this point, there is no extension of SIM registration,” said DICT in a statement as it has received and acknowledged the request of PTEs to extend the SIM registration period pursuant to Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.
With the April 26, 2023 registration deadline drawing near, DICT encourage everyone to register to promote the responsible use of SIMs and provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools to crack down on criminals who use SIM to commit crimes.
DICT also reminds the public that non-registration will result in the deactivation of their SIMs and eSIMs, barring them from receiving and sending calls and text messages and accessing mobile applications and digital wallets.
The DICT reiterates that the SIM Registration Act places primacy on the fundamental rights of Filipinos and is replete with safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and security of user data.
“The DICT is one with PTEs in ensuring that Filipinos can enjoy safe and secure mobile phone services through the holistic implementation of the SIM Registration Act,” it added.
As of April 7, 2023, DITO Telecommunication Corporation reported that they have already registered 4,711,456 subscribers while Globe and Smart reported 26,348,304 and 31,110,508, respectively.
DICT said this brings a total number of 62,170,268 registered SIMs, which accounts to 36.79% of the 168,977,773 mobile users nationwide.
The DICT encourages everyone to register their SIMs with their respective PTEs and to be vigilant as they complete the registration process.
“It is crucial to register through official links of PTEs to avoid fraudulent activities such as scams and identity theft,” it added. (CEBU NEWS)