Smart, TNT lead NTC's simultaneous SIM Registration in remote areas

MANILA -- PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and value brand TNT have fully complied with the set-up of assisted SIM Registration booths in key remote areas during the nationwide roadshow organized by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to boost SIM Registration especially in far-flung areas.

“It has been a smooth process so far, and it's because of our coordination and whole-of-nation approach to the SIM registration process.  We're hoping to replicate in the pilot areas as well as in the succeeding rollouts of this nationwide SIM registration activity,” PLDT and Smart FVP & Group Head of Corporate Communications, Cathy Yang said.

As January 25, Smart and TNT assisted SIM Registration booths are now operating in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; in Moalboal, Cebu; in Palo, Leyte; Pangantucan, Bukidnon; and in Malalag, Davao del Sur.  Smart and TNT personnel in the booths are also providing a priority lane for seniors, for persons with disabilities, and for those using basic phones, making SIM Registration as inclusive as possible. 

DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo thanked Smart for the help as they have been closely with Smart and other telco providers to ensure that far-flung areas are being reached.  “We're really taking advantage of all possible avenues so that the public knows about the SIM registration process,” Lamentillo added.

 The NTC had earlier mandated public telecommunications entities (PTE) like Smart to deploy assisted SIM Registration booths from January 25 to 27 in five regions per day, hitting one far-flung municipality in each of the identified regions.

Smart and TNT were the first to deploy assisted SIM Registration booths and touchpoints across the country starting December 27, 2022, on the same day that Smart launched its SIM Registration portal http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg.

Smart also organized “Sulong SIM Registration”, the first ever LGU cascade on SIM Registration among Philippine telcos, which drew close to a thousand LGU executives from provincial governments to barangay officials, from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

During the online cascade, representatives from the NTC, DICT, and the DILG urged hundreds of LGU executives to actively collaborate to encourage mobile users across the country to register their SIMs.

According to Atty. Ella Blanca Lopez, OIC Commissioner at the NTC, Smart's drive to get as many subscribers to register their SIMs can only be achieved with the solid and steadfast support of the various local government units, especially in remote areas where aided registration is much needed.

“It is vital that we increase the current pace of daily SIM registration to meet our deadline of April 26, 2023 and the NTC together with PTEs is determined to maximize SIM registration in remote areas.  I appeal to all LGUs to actively take part in our desire to reach as many as many SIM subscribers as possible, and to assist telcos in their aided registration especially in remote areas,” she said.

Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, the first law inked by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., regulates the use of SIM cards, by mandating all end-users to register their SIMs under their name.

Smart made available its SIM Registration portal http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg on December 27, 2022. Through this platform, millions of Smart and TNT customers have been able to conveniently register their SIMs.

Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can register their SIM and get 3 GB FREE data upon completing these steps:  Step 1. Visit http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg; Step 2. Input your information and upload a valid ID and   Step 3. Wait for an SMS confirmation and get 3 GB FREE Data.

Smart is also making SIM Registration more convenient for postpaid subscribers, who simply need to confirm the personal information and IDs they submitted for their postpaid plan application. To do this confirmation, subscribers just need to text YES to 5858. They shall then receive a confirmation message from Smart upon successful SIM Registration. (Photos: Smart)