Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. have ramped up their assisted subscriber identity module (SIM) registration sites in the country, particularly in remote areas.
This developed as the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) reported a total of 17.1 million SIMs were registered as of January 10, equivalent to 10.13 percent of the total 169 million subscribers nationwide
Smart reported a total of 8.04 million SIMs registered while Globe registered 7.6 million SIMs and DITO Telecommunity Corp., 1.5 million.
PLDT Inc. wireless unit Smart said in a statement it is ready to help the government in accelerating the SIM registration nationwide, including in geographically isolated and disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA) identified by the government.
“We are ready to help the government in accelerating assisted SIM Registration in GIDCA, in collaboration with the newly launched Interagency Response Center for SIM Registration.
We are also committed to working with our regulator, the National Telecommunications Commission, as it forms a Technical Working Group (TWG) with other public telco entities like ourselves, the DICT, and other government agencies to discuss further details,” said Cathy Yang, head of group corporate communications at PLDT and Smart.
Smart earlier announced the availability of a wide network of assisted SIM registration booths and touchpoints across the country, as part of its effort to facilitate SIM registration for its customers, particularly those residing outside Metro Manila.
The government’s GIDCA database lists about 39,753 barangays across the country.
“We are progressively rolling out more assisted SIM Registration booths and touchpoints across the Philippines, with the help of local government units, to reach those with special needs, people with disabilities, and those still using basic phones and devices. All this while we await further guidance from the TWG on where we go next, prioritizing customers located in GIDCA,” Yang added.
Starting February, Globe will also have assisted registration sites for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and users of basic or feature phones.
The list of Globe’s registration sites will be announced through its official websites in the coming weeks.
To date, Globe has 87.9 million SIMs, of which over 7 million have registered.
To make the SIM registration process accessible and convenient for all, the company said it is offering multiple channels for registration. It is encouraging customers to take advantage of these options and complete their SIM registration before the deadline on April 26, 2023, to avoid the risk of SIM deactivation. – Myla Iglesias
