The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) yesterday said it will issue new guidelines that will improve the post-registration and validation of subscriber identification module (SIM) cards.
The NTC said it targets to issue the memorandum by next Friday.
The issuance comes after a report of the acceptance of an animal photo in lieu of a real person’s identification (ID) card which placed the quality of verification in the SIM registration process into question.
Individuals who provide false information or fake IDs may face prison time of six months to 2 years, and a P300,000 fine.
Meanwhile, NTC said the number of daily complaints on text scam and spam has declined by 76 percent following the implementation of the SIM Registration Act.
Still, the NTC is looking at amending the law to further eradicate text scams.
Jon Paulo Salvahan, NTC deputy commissioner, said at the Laging Handa public briefing the NTC has received 45,000 complaints from the start of the SIM card registration until September 3.
That is equivalent to an average of 475 daily complaints, a significant decline from the 2,000 daily complaints recorded prior to the enactment of the SIM Registration law last year.
Subscribers’ complaints have been endorsed to the telcos for deactivation or further investigation, Salvahan said.
Salvahan warned subscribers selling pre-registered SIMs and those submitting falsified documents will face fines and imprisonment of up to six years.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is working with telcos, NTC and the National Privacy Commission to strengthen the IRR of the SIM Registration Act by putting a cap on the number of registered SIMs per user.
Alexander Ramos, DICT undersecretary, said after the July 30 deadline for the SIM registration text scams did not decline but shifted from the standard short messaging service -based scams to different social media platforms. – MYLA IGLESIAS
