As the public asked more questions about the new law, the SIM Registration Act stated that end-users do not have to pay an additional fee when registering their SIM cards.
This was after President Marcos signed Republic Act No. 11934 on Monday, October 10.
Based on the signed law, a copy provided by Malacañng to reporters on Wednesday, October 12, the public does not have to pay anything when registering their SIM cards.
"The registration required under this Act shall be implemented at no cost to the end-users," Section 6 of the new law read.
The registration shall be accomplished electronically through a platform or website that the public telecommunications entities (PTEs) will establish.
Government agencies and PTEs will establish registration facilities in remote areas with limited telecommunications or internet access.
The new law also mandates PTEs to include the data of existing postpaid subscribers in the SIM Register -- their database -- to align with its registration requirement.
The SIM Registration Act covers prepaid, postpaid, and eSIMs. The registration period is within 180 days from the law's effective date. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) may extend the registration period for another 120 days.
This week, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said there was no prohibition as to how many SIM cards a person can register under their name.
Under the new law, there is no additional fee when end-users register their SIM cards. Registration will be done online and within 180 days from the law's effectivity. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/qV4T0PqjSe
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) October 13, 2022
Registration requirements
Under the Sim Card Registration Act, every public telecommunication entity (PTE) or direct seller shall be required to demand end-users of SIM cards present a valid identification document to validate their identities.
Among the information required from end users are the following:
- Full name
- Complete address
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Cellphone number of the SIM card and serial number
End-users can present any of the following government-issued IDs or documents with a photo:
- Driver's License
- Philippine National ID
- SSS/GSIS Card
- UMID Card
- Passport
- Senior Citizen's Card
- NBI Clearance
- Police Clearance
- Firearm's License to Own and Possess ID
- Voter's ID
- TIN ID
- PRC ID
- IBP ID
- OWWA ID
- PWD Card
- Other valid government-issued ID with a photo
SIMs of minors will be registered under the name of the parent/guardian, provided there is written consent to register the SIM.
Meanwhile, foreigners must provide the following information:
- Full name
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Address in the Philippines
They must provide any of the following:
- Passport
- Proof of address in the Philippines
- Return ticket or departure ticket (for tourists)
- Alien Employment Permit
- ACRI-Card
- School registration and ID (for students)
- Other pertinent documents
SIM cards of tourists shall only be valid for 30 days.
Loss of SIM card, death of end-user
The law tells end-users to inform their respective PTE if there are changes in their information, they lose their SIM cards, or they request to deactivate them.
If an end-user dies, the immediate family must immediately inform the PTE.
For these instances, the concerned end-user's SIM will be deactivated within 24 hours from when the report was made.
Regardless of deactivation, the PTE will retain the relevant information for 10 years.