Some 12 million SIMs have been registered with local public telecommunication entities (PTEs) as of Tuesday January 3, 2023, a week after registration started.
Smart Communications Inc. recorded 5,700,599 SIMs registered; Globe Telecom Inc., 5,030,649 SIMs, while DITO Telecommunity Corp. had 1.2 million SIMs registered within its system, for a total of 11.93 million.
The law aims to regulate the issuance and use of SIMs, which are essential in operating mobile devices like mobile phones and pocket Wi-Fis, according to Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy.
Registering SIMs will curb the spread of spam texts and scams using mobile devices.
PTEs like Smart, Globe, and DITO have provided procedures and guidelines for their registration processes, following the nationwide implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act last December.
The registration may be done online through the websites or applications launched by the PTEs.
The DICT and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall be extending support to the telcos in facilitating registration in remote areas where Internet connectivity is limited or non-accessible.
"We encourage the public to participate and register so we can create a safer cyber community,” Uy said.