THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered some telecommunication companies (telcos) to explain the additional options given while registering a subscriber identity modules (SIM).
Several subscribers and even some groups question the need to include options like giving the telco permission to send promotional materials and an option allowing the telco to use personal information for credit scoring and product development, among others.
NTC Deputy Commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan said they are looking into the issue, though he also said that those check boxes are optional.
“Ipapa-clarify natin sa kanila ‘yung paglalagay nila ng ganoon. Titingnan natin magiging clarification ng mga telco para doon. From there, we can determine how to proceed with it. As we understand it, ‘yan ay optional,” said Salvahan.
He added NTC may issue a memorandum on the matter after they receive the clarifications from telcos.
The NTC said over six million SIMs have already been registered. There are around 160 million to 180 million active SIMs in the country.
A of Dec. 28, 2022, over 3 million SIM cards have been registered as of the second day of the effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Card Registration Act.
Based on data released by the NTC, there were 3.319 million SIM cards registered as of Dec. 28 — 530,424 with DITO Telecommunity Corp.; 1,769,374 with Globe Telecom Inc.; and 1,019,207 with Smart Communications Inc.
The IRR of the SIM Card Registration Act took effect on December 27, mandating all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to establish their own registration platform where they will onboard users who present valid identification cards.
Users are given 180 days to register their SIM cards, else face the risk of having these deactivated. (ABS-CBN News/with reports from GMA Integrated News)
