SIM Registration Act Implementing Rules and Regulations

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), after its public hearing, has released Memorandum Circular No. 001-12-2022 43, which is the implementing rules and regulations of R.A. No. 11934, also known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, prescribing the general rules and guidelines on how the law will be implemented. Here are some key takeaways from the memo.

Table of Contents

SIM Registration

Under the act, all end-users are required to register their SIMs with their respective telcos. This includes eSIMs, and other variations/technologies, and future technologies that were provided by any telco to provide SMS, voice, and data services. This means, even the SIMs used for data-only or for fixed wireless broadband, or IoT devices, must be registered. If the SIM is not registered, the SIM will be deactivated but will be activated if the end-user completes the registration process.

If you’re a foreign national visiting as a tourist, your SIM will be valid temporarily for 30 days and will be deactivated upon expiration of the validity of the SIM. The validity may be extended only upon the presentation or submission of an approved visa extension. If you have other types of visas, you can acquire SIMs without the 30-day temporary validity period and register with the respective telco.

SIM registration should be free to the end user.

Registration of Existing Subscribers

All existing SIM subscribers need to register within 180 days from the effectivity of the act, and may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days. Failure to register will result in the automatic deactivation of the SIM, and can be reactivated after registration within 5 days of automatic deactivation.

Registration Form and Registration Process

The memo states that a registration form will be accomplished electronically through a secure platform or website provided by the telco. It should be easy to use and navigate, considering the needs of various end-users.

The registration process will be guided by the following parameters:

1) Submission of the electronically accomplished registration form with the following data only:

For individuals:
• Full Name
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Present/official address
• Type of ID presented
• ID number presented

For juridical entity:
• Business name
• Business address
• Full name of authorized signatory

For foreign national:
• Full name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Passport
• Address in the Philippines
• Type of Trave or Admission Document Presented (For Persons of Concern or POCs)
• ID number or Number of Document presented

2) Presentation of valid government-issued ID card or other similar forms of document with photo

3) Inputting of the assigned mobile number of the SIM with its serial number.

The telco should also include processes to verify the submitted information and data, subject to the applicable provisions of the Data Privacy Act, its IRR, and other relevant issuances of the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

Valid-government issued ID cards or documents

Here’s a list of valid government IDS or documents with photos that can be presented:

For individuals:
• Passport
• PhilSys ID, or PhilID
• SSS ID
• GSIS e-Card
• Driver’s license
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID
• PRC ID
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID
• BIR ID
• Voter’s ID
• Senior Citizen’s card
• UMID
• Persons with Disabilities card
• Other valid government-issued ID with photo

For minors (registration will be under the name of the minor’s parent or guardian. ALL are required):
• Any ID mentioned above
• Consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to register the SIM

For juridical entity end-user (ALL are required):
• Certificate of Registration
• In the case of corporations, duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, and in teh case of other juridical entities, a special power of attorney.

For foreign nationals visiting as tourists (ALL are required):
• Passport (copy of page where via is stamped)
• Proof of address in the Philippines (booking in hotel or other type of accommodation)

For foreign nationals with other types of visas (ALL are required):
• Passport
• Proof of address in the Philippines
• Other pertinent document: Alien Employment Permit by DOLE, ACRI Card by Bureau of Immigration, or other types of official ID issued by any other visa-issuing agency
• School registration and ID for students
• Type of travel or admission document validity issued by the DOJ for Persons of Concern (POC)

Obligation of users

Users should register their own SIMS within 180 days from the effectivity of the act. Users should also report to their respective telcos any change in the information supplied in their application for SIM registration. In the case of the death of the end-user, the immediate family or relative shall immediately report the information to the respective telco.

If the SIM card is lost or stolen, the user should report it to the telco and provide the following information:
• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Mobile Subscriber Number
• Other relevant and reasonable information required to establish ownership of the SIM

Obligation of telcos

Telcos should establish their own secure online SIM registration platform that is user-friendly and easy to use. Telcos should also provide additional means to assist persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with special needs.

Telcos should also maintain a register of the SIMs of their users and include the data of existing postpaid subscribers.

Telcos should also deactivate the SIM within 24 hours from receipt of information on the death of the end-user, loss or theft of a SIM, or request for deactivation.

SIMs that are reported lost or stolen should be immediately barred, rendering them unusable for any incoming or outgoing text, call and use of mobile data service. It will be permanently deactivated upon issuance of a new SIM to the verified en-user or within 24 hours.

Telcos are also obligated to deactivate, temporarily or permanently, the SIM used for fraudulent text or call, upon due investigation.

Telcos need to ensure that end-users’ data are secured, encrypted and protected at all times and comply with the minimum information security standards prescribed by the DICT consistent with internationally-accepted cybersecurity standards and relevant laws, rules and regulations.

SIM registration platform and procedure

Telcos will soon release more information about their SIM registration and procedure on their official channels.

10 Comments

Maricel Laloy says:

2 years ago

Pwede po ba dalawang simcard?
- Reply
AbdulBassit Mindalano says:

2 years ago

yes Po pwde Po Ang Isang globe at Isang smart pag pa register under my name?paano pag nawala cellphone or na snatch paano papalitan Ng same no?at saan Po ba location pagpapa register?
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Jim says:

2 years ago

Dapat pag nawala yung sim, pwede ideactivate yung lost or stolen sim then the telco will provide a new sim with the same number.. Kasi paano kung yung nawala.mong sim at gamit mo sa lahat ng online transactions mo like gcash, paymaya, etc. di hindi muna maaccess acount mo sa mga online transactions.. Sample ko sa akin Gcash user ako at common online transactions ko via GCash ganit ko, pagnawala yung sim ko wala na lang ganun?
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Riverboy says:

2 years ago

Include in the IRR the obligation of NTC
- Reply
Khris P says:

2 years ago

Lolz, scammer be like, for sale: Sim already registered under a poor man’s name from the jungle in the most remote area of the country.
- Reply
Kevin Bryan Eleazar says:

2 years ago

kahit ilan po basta tana ang info. na e susubmit mo sa kanila
- Reply

Nigga says:

2 years ago

San magpapa register??
Jennifer Carpio says:

2 years ago

Pano po pag walang fb account ang ginagamit na sim?pang text msg lng po.Pano po ito iregister?

Francis Manlapas says:

2 years ago

Ilang Sim po ba ang dapat kung ipa registered kasi dalawa ang sim ng phone ko, gusto ko sana itung dalawang sim ay ipa registered sa aking pangalan pwede po ba yun salamat po sa pag sagot.
- Reply