MANILA – Mobile subscribers are reportedly dealing with technical difficulties during the first day of SIM (subscriber identity module) card registration.
“Due to the high volume of registrants, some subscribers may experience difficulty accessing the SIM registration site. Our technical team is working on increasing capacity,” Smart Communications Inc. said in an advisory.
Anna Mae Lamentillo, undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), warned of minor glitches during the first two weeks of registration.
“The first two weeks will be a test registration, which means that registrations are valid but there could be some difficulties and minor errors as the PTEs (public telecommunication entities) fine tune the implementation process,” she said
DICT launches 24/7 complaint center
DICT on Tuesday said it had launched a 24/7 complaint center tasked to receive reports and address issues concerning the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Act. Lamentillo said the complaint center, which may be accessed through hotline 1326, will stand as a “support system for the implementation of the SIM registration as this will provide a platform where SIM subscribers can report their concerns or provide suggestions on how the process can be improved.”
A two-week period, Lamentillo noted, will allow PTEs to pinpoint areas in the SIM registration process, which can be improved to make it more efficient and convenient for subscribers.
“DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy wants the SIM registration to be done as soon as possible, within 180 days, and he wants to ensure that the process will be as seamless as possible. That is why we launched a 24/7 complaint center so that concerns can be reported immediately and acted upon promptly,” Lamentillo explained.
Smart Communications, Inc. warned its subscribers of possible difficulties accessing its SIM registration portal “due to the high volume of registrants.”
Globe Telecom, Inc. advised its service users to keep trying should they encounter problems with their SIM registration.
Active Globe SIMs must be registered by April 26 next year, it also reminded.
The SIM Card Registration Act, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last October, will require existing mobile subscribers to register their SIM cards to avoid deactivation.
Meanwhile, newly purchased SIM cards will only be activated upon the buyer’s submission of necessary documents.
To register, subscribers should visit their respective PTEs’ registration websites:
* Globe Telecom Inc.: https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg
* Smart Communications Inc.: https://smart.com.ph/simreg
* Dito Telecommunity: https://dito.ph/RegisterDITO
A privacy notice will be made available on the platform or website to explain the details of the SIM registration. (Tyrone Jasper C. Piad, Beatrice Pinlac © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
