PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have expressed support to the passage of the subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration bill as this will help address the proliferation of spam messages.
“The SIM card registration bill will definitely lessen the proliferation of fraudulent spam messages similar to the Smishing cases being encountered now and boost telecom security efforts as well. It will also boost Ecommerce adoption and growth,” Roy Ibay, Smart vice president for regulatory affairs, said in a statement.
The House of Representatives approved last December 6 the SIM card registration bill on the final reading which will obligate a public telecommunication entity to require a subscriber to sign a control numbered registration form for the SIM card purchased.
Meanwhile, Ibay, who is also vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Telecom Operators (PCTO), said PCTO also supports the SIM card registration bill but asked the government to ensure there are safeguards for prepaid subscribers.
“The PCTO supports the SIM card registration bill but this should ensure safeguards that will not unduly displace prepaid subscribers by giving a sufficient SIM registration period and ensuring that the wide adoption or use of the national ID is already in place,” Ibay said. – Myla Iglesias
