By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter
TELECOMMUNICATIONS firms are challenging the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) suggestion to mandate personal appearances for the enrollment of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.
“Mandating a physical presence for SIM registration contradicts the principle of universal accessibility. Individuals from rural areas are unable and unwilling to do in-person registration due to the distance and travel difficulties,” Globe Telecom, Inc. General Counsel Froilan M. Castelo stated in an email to BusinessWorld on Thursday.
Smart Communications, Inc. Head of Regulatory Affairs Roy D. Ibay mentioned that the compulsory presence of mobile phone users during the registration process was a topic of discussion during the drafting of the SIM Registration Act.
Nevertheless, Mr. Ibay indicated that this was merely contemplated as an option, not fully integrated into the registration procedure.
“The hurdle is for the government to effectively verify any or all government IDs permitted by the SIM Registration law,” Mr. Ibay commented in a Viber message to BusinessWorld.
Earlier this week, the NTC announced it is contemplating the requirement of an individual’s presence during the registration of the SIM card.
This is part of its intended thorough assessment of the existing online registration method, which has “drawn criticism as a contributing factor to the increase in text scams where deceitful individuals exploit the system to sell their identities to others.”
Republic Act No. 11934 or SIM Registration Act, enacted in 2022, mandates mobile phone users to register their SIMs under their names or face deactivation.
Mr. Ibay asserted that personal appearances should only be mandated if there are inconsistencies in validation, such as unverifiable identification (ID) cards or other technical difficulties.
“The condition for requiring users’ physical presence may arise if manual validation is necessary for unverifiable IDs submitted or other technical faults during the standard online SIM registration procedure by new subscribers,” Mr. Ibay elaborated.
BusinessWorld also requested feedback from DITO Telecommunity Corp. but had not received a reply by the deadline.
Globe’s Mr. Castelo stressed that if the NTC is contemplating involving local government units (LGUs) to oversee the registration process, some LGUs in remote regions may not be equipped to handle the SIM registration efficiently.
“The core of universal access is to ensure connectivity for all Filipinos at the most affordable price and the simplest means to obtain it. Mandating face-to-face registration would undermine this principle,” Mr. Castelo remarked.
Samuel V. Jacoba, founding president of the National Association of Data Protection Officers, stated that while the NTC’s proposition could assist in combating fraud, the practical application of the proposal may not be viable.
“There are millions of Filipinos using mobile phones, some with multiple SIMs. Furthermore, they may gather facial or other biometric data for authentication. How can they safeguard such sensitive personal information?” he questioned in a Viber message.
Mr. Jacoba suggested that the NTC should devise a more comprehensive operational strategy that will maximize the agency’s utilization of public resources.
When asked for comments, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos conveyed that the SIM Registration Act is also rooted in the government’s pursuit of digital transformation.
“The entire concept of digitalization is aimed at full automation,” he told reporters at a cybersecurity event. “However, if it is the regulator issuing this statement, then compliance is necessary.”
At present, Mr. Ramos mentioned that the National Privacy Commission is examining the correct methods of data sharing without compromising or revealing personal information.
“Currently, the entire authentication process is vital. It is quicker when automated, but it should not be limited to just one level. There must be several authentication processes,” he pointed out.
Currently, SIM card registration requires individuals to upload a photo, provide a government-issued ID, and submit personal details.
This method has been exploited by fraudsters, with some individuals trading their identities despite existing penalties of two to six years imprisonment and fines up to P300,000, stated the NTC.
In 2024, the NTC proposed amendments to the SIM Registration Act to Congress. The commission sought provisions granting the NTC the power to restrict the number of SIMs an individual may possess and the potential limitation on valid government-issued ID cards.
Furthermore, the NTC is recommending a clause mandating agencies responsible for issuing government IDs to create a validation platform that is accessible to public telecommunications entities (PTEs).
Last year, PTEs blocked 3.34 million scam communications and deactivated 3.12 million SIM cards, aiding in the overall reduction of text scams and SIM-related fraud.
Smart is the wireless division of PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund, holds a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it oversees.
