Smart Communications, Inc. is just waiting for the details of the SIM Registration Law's Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) while continuing its preparations for compliance, the telco announced Friday, Oct. 28.
So far, Smart has studied best global practices and technology solutions from other countries that have already implemented SIM registration.
"In coordination with our counterparts in other Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) Smart is working with the National Telecommunications Commission and key regulators and government agencies in the crafting of the SIM Registration Law's IRR," stated Atty. Roy Ibay, Smart VP and Head of Regulatory.
The IRR is necessary to implement the SIM Registration Law in an orderly and effective manner, at the same time, guide the telcos in the preparation of their platforms and overall processes, he pointed out.
"It is the paramount interest of Smart to ensure that the implementation of the SIM Registration Law will be easy and convenient for subscribers and will not deprive subscribers of their right to connectivity," said Francis E. Flores, Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Business Group - Individual.
Alongside their support for SIM registration, Smart and parent company PLDT's long-standing consumer protection initiatives include measures aimed at curbing mobile phone-aided criminal activities such as text scams.
In addition to blocking SIMs that send ‘smishing’ messages, Smart has also blocked Uniform Resource Locators (URL) linked to these illegal activities.
In 2021, PLDT and Smart invested nearly P3 billion in cybersecurity infrastructure to help safeguard the public against emerging cyberthreats, vulnerabilities, and other online criminal activities.