The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 001-12-2022, the implementing rules and regulations of R.A. No. 11934, also known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, after its public hearing, prescribing the general rules and guidelines for the law’s implementation. Here are some key takeaways from the memo.
SIM Registration
Under the act, all end-users are required to register their SIMs with their respective telcos. This includes eSIMs, other variations/technologies, and future technologies provided by any telco in order to deliver SMS, voice, and data services. This means, even the SIMs used for data-only or for fixed wireless broadband, or IoT devices, must be registered. SIMs will be deactivated if they are not registered, but will be activated if the end-user completes the registration process.
If you are a foreign national visiting as a tourist, your SIM card will be temporarily valid for thirty days and will be deactivated upon expiration. The only way to extend the validity is by presenting or submitting an approved visa extension. If you have other types of visas, you can obtain SIM cards without the temporary 30-day validity period and register with the respective telco.
Registration of SIM cards should be free for the end user.
Registration of Existing Subscribers
Existing SIM cardholders are required to register within 180 days of the act’s implementation, with a maximum extension of 120 days. Failure to register will result in automatic deactivation of the SIM, which can be reactivated within 5 days of deactivation by registering.
Registration Form and Registration Process
A registration form will be completed electronically through a secure platform or website provided by the telecommunications company, according to the memo. It should be intuitive and easy to navigate, taking into account the needs of various end users.
The registration process will be guided by the following parameters:
1) Electronic submission of the registration form containing only the following information:
For individuals:
• Full Name
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Present/official address
• Type of ID presented
• ID number presented
For juridical entity:
• Business name
• Business address
• Full name of authorized signatory
For foreign national:
• Full name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Passport
• Address in the Philippines
• Type of Trave or Admission Document Presented (For Persons of Concern or POCs)
• ID number or Number of Document presented
2) Presentation of valid government-issued ID card or other similar forms of document with photo.
3) Inputting of the assigned mobile number of the SIM with its serial number.
The telecommunications provider should also include processes to verify the submitted information and data, subject to the applicable provisions of the Data Privacy Act, its implementing regulations, and other pertinent National Privacy Commission issuances (NPC).
Valid-government issued ID cards or documents
Here’s a list of valid government IDS or documents with photos that can be presented:
For individuals:
• Passport
• PhilSys ID, or PhilID
• SSS ID
• GSIS e-Card
• Driver’s license
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID
• PRC ID
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID
• BIR ID
• Voter’s ID
• Senior Citizen’s card
• UMID
• Persons with Disabilities card
• Other valid government-issued ID with photo
For minors (registration will be under the name of the minor’s parent or guardian. ALL are required):
• Any ID mentioned above
• Consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to register the SIM
For juridical entity end-user (ALL are required):
• Certificate of Registration
• In the case of corporations, duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, and in teh case of other juridical entities, a special power of attorney.
For foreign nationals visiting as tourists (ALL are required):
• Passport (copy of page where via is stamped)
• Proof of address in the Philippines (booking in hotel or other type of accommodation)
For foreign nationals with other types of visas (ALL are required):
• Passport
• Proof of address in the Philippines
• Other pertinent document: Alien Employment Permit by DOLE, ACRI Card by Bureau of Immigration, or other types of official ID issued by any other visa-issuing agency
• School registration and ID for students
• Type of travel or admission document validity issued by the DOJ for Persons of Concern (POC)
Obligation of users
Users must register their own SIMS within 180 days of the act’s implementation. Users should also notify their respective telcos of any changes to the information provided on their SIM registration application. In the event of the end-death, user’s the end-immediate user’s family or relative must immediately notify the respective telco.
If the SIM card is lost or stolen, the user must notify the service provider and provide the following details:
• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Mobile Subscriber Number
• Other relevant and reasonable information required to establish ownership of the SIM
Obligation of telcos
Telcos should establish their own secure, user-friendly, and user-friendly online SIM registration platform. Additionally, telecommunications companies should provide additional assistance for individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, and special needs.
Telcos should also maintain a registry of their customers’ SIM cards, which should include the information of postpaid subscribers.
Telcos should also deactivate the SIM within 24 hours of receiving notice of the end-death, user’s the loss or theft of a SIM, or a request for SIM deactivation.
SIMs that have been reported lost or stolen should be immediately disabled, preventing them from being used for incoming or outgoing text messages, phone calls, or mobile data services. It will be permanently deactivated upon the issuance of a new SIM card to a verified end-user, or within twenty-four hours.
Telcos are also required to temporarily or permanently deactivate the SIM card used for a fraudulent text message or phone call, pending an investigation.
Telcos must ensure that end-user data are always secured, encrypted, and protected in accordance with the minimum information security standards prescribed by the DICT, which are consistent with internationally recognized cybersecurity standards and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
SIM registration platform and procedure
Soon, telecommunications companies will publish additional information on their SIM registration and activation procedure via their official channels.