With just a week before the subscriber identity module or SIM registration deadline, only 43.47 percent of the over 170 million SIMs circulating in the country have registered, prompting telcos to ask for an extension. However, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) stated on Wednesday, April 19, that "at this point, there is no extension of SIM registration." As of April 17, about 73,033,833 SIMS have been registered. Smart Communications Inc. registered 36,115,938 of their SIMs while Globe Telecom Inc. registered 31,585,578. DITO Telecommunity registered 5,332,317 SIMs. The DICT received and acknowledged the request of Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) to extend the SIM registration period, supposed to end on April 26. "However, at this point, there is no extension of SIM registration," the department confirmed. "With the deadline drawing near, we encourage everyone to reqister, to promote the responsible use of SIMs and provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools to crack down on perpetrators who use SIMs for their crimes, consistent with the declared policy of the law," said DICT. Non-registration will result in the deactivation of SIMs, barring users from receiving and sending calls and text messages and accessing mobile applications and digital wallets. The DICT reiterated that the SIM Registration Act places primacy on the fundamental rights of Filipinos and is replete with safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and security of user data. However, telcos requested for a deadline extension to help give ample time to all mobile users, particularly the marginalized sectors and those located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the country, to register their SIMs. The low registration count is "primarily due to the lack of valid government IDs, and challenged digital literacy", they noted.