Since the government announced the deadline extension in April, we have been able to deploy new modes to make SIM registration more convenient, including optimizing GCash for the registration of verified users and the rollout of more SIM registration assistance desks across the country to support customers experiencing challenges in registering their SIMs.

We believe SIM users have been given enough time– from December 27, 2022 to July 25, 2023, or a total of 211 days– to register their SIMs. As of July 15, Globe has logged over 47.14 million registered SIMs.

We encourage our customers who have yet to comply with the SIM Registration Act to use the remaining days until the July 25 deadline to register their SIMs as the law is meant to protect them from fraud and other cybercrime. Failure to register will lead to the deactivation of their SIMs, and they won’t be able to access mobile services for everyday needs.

Globe has several platforms for SIM Registration. Globe Prepaid, TM and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers may use the GlobeOne app and Globe’s SIM registration microsite https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg, which are available 24/7. 

Those who have fully-verified GCash accounts may also register via the GCash app. Until July 19, selected Globe subscribers will receive a notification inviting them to register their SIMs by texting “GCASH” followed by their birthday in “mmddyy” format to 8080. Upon successful registration, customers will receive an acknowledgment text message within a few days.

Globe Postpaid, Globe Business Postpaid and Globe Platinum subscribers have already been included in the SIM registration database. For company-owned Globe Business prepaid accounts, steps to register or update details have been sent to authorized company representatives.

Globe also continues to provide SIM Registration assistance in Globe Stores, and EasyHubs nationwide. Assisted registration desks are also available across the country.

With a simple text, Globe subscribers who are also GCash users can quickly register their SIMs in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the SIM Registration Act. Those who complete registration will also get 1GB of free data.

“We’ve always believed in the power of technology to streamline processes and enhance customer experience. By providing a quick and simple way for our users to register their SIMs, we’re bolstering consumer security and ensuring that their connectivity services will remain uninterrupted,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

Under this new registration protocol, selected Globe subscribers will receive a  notification inviting them to register their SIMs by texting “GCASH”, followed by their birthday in “mmddyy” format, to 8080. For example, a user born on May 22, 1983, shall text “GCASH 052283.” This mode of registration will be operational until July 19, 2023.

By opting to register via this route, subscribers can request GCash to send their account details to Globe. They also certify that all  details earlier submitted to GCash, including their full name, birthday, sex, address, and IDs, are accurate. This showcases how Globe and GCash are working together to empower their customers and give them the ability to conveniently exercise their right to data portability under the Data Privacy Act.

Once Globe receives and validates the information provided, customers will receive an acknowledgment text message within a few days.

The text method is the second mode of SIM registration via GCash. Earlier, Globe and GCash rolled out a registration protocol where GCash users can register their SIMs via the app. There, fully-verified users will encounter a prompt to facilitate their SIM registration. They will also receive free 1GB data upon completion.

SIM registration is mandated by the Philippine government under Republic Act 11934, enacted in December 2022, to combat the proliferation of cybercrime, including scams and other forms of fraud. By registering their SIMs , mobile phone users can protect themselves against cybercrime and help ensure that their SIMs are not used for illegal activities.

With the deadline for SIM registration fast approaching, Globe is encouraging its fully-verified GCash users to take advantage of the easy registration process available through text message and the GCash app. Non-compliance may lead to SIM deactivation and potential disruption of mobile services.

Globe has several platforms available for SIM registration. Globe customers, including GCash users with unverified GCash accounts, may use the GlobeOne app or the Globe microsite at https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg to register their SIMs. In-person assistance remains available at Globe Stores and EasyHubs across the nation.

To learn more about SIM registration, visit  https://www.globe.com.ph/register-sim-card.html#gref.

Since the deadline was extended, there has been a slowdown in SIM registration volume, which is consistent across all players in the market. Despite this, Globe remains unfazed.

“We intend to have 100% of our revenue-generating base fully registered within the 90-day extension. We are confident that we can achieve this with the initiatives that we are taking,” said Darius Delgado, Head of Globe Consumer Mobile Business.

The company has implemented various steps to make registration as easy and accessible as possible, including opening up GCash as a channel for fully verified Globe and TM users to register their SIMs with just a few clicks.  This is on top of the GlobeOne app and the https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg microsite which are also available 24/7.

Additionally, Globe continues to operate its SIM-assisted registration booths and plans to scale up these efforts, particularly in rural areas where registration has lagged behind. The company’s 144 Stores and 25 EasyHubs across the country are also open to customers who need help registering their SIMs.

Globe is committed to ensuring its customers’ compliance with the SIM Registration Act and is working closely with local government units, groceries, and malls to set up assisted registration booths in various remote locations.  It has also been regularly joining SIM registration assistance initiatives led by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) since January.

Globe continues to appeal to the government to allow the submission of alternative IDs for SIM registration as many Filipinos still lack government IDs.

“We applaud the government for extending the SIM registration deadline, as this gives millions of our unregistered customers more time to comply with the law. But we continue to ask for conditional registration that will allow us to accept other forms of identification such as school IDs and company IDs. This will help our customers who do not yet have a government ID to register across our channels,” Delgado said.

Unregistered SIM users have until July 25 to complete their SIM registration. Globe urges its subscribers to quickly take advantage of the extended time and not wait until the last minute to register to avoid the deactivation of their SIMs.

To learn more about Globe and its SIM registration efforts, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

“You don’t want to lose access to your e-wallets and other mobile financial apps knowing the value of their convenience in your day-to-day life”, he noted.

The fintech industry greatly encourages everyone’s adherence to this mandate as unregistered SIM card users may hinder digital payment processes, electronic transactions, and one-time-pin authorizations. With more registered SIM card users, we can continue to onboard more and more unbanked Filipinos into the financial ecosystem with ease and without interruption.

“Under this law, we aim to dramatically reduce cases of mule accounts, bots, and fraudulent transactions. This will improve the security, safety, and trust among digital users, Villanueva added.

As of April 20, 2023, a total of 76,927,923 subscribers have registered their SIMs, equivalent to around 45 percent of the 168 million subscriber base nationwide.

Based on telcos’ estimate, a huge portion of the 168 million subscriber base are “disposable” SIMs, which are used temporarily.

“Their actual estimate is close to 100 million active SIMs. If we use that figure as basis, then we have 78 to 79 million registered SIMs. The registration rate is hitting almost 80 percent,” said Secretary Ivan Uy of the Department of Information and Communications Tecnology.

Fintech Alliance.ph is the Philippines’ largest assiciation of fintech startups and unicorns generating over 90 percent of digital financial transactions in the country today.

On Wednesday, April 19, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) issued its statement rejecting the appeal of public telecommunication entities (PTEs) for the extension of SIM registration.

As of April 18, Smart leads the telco industry with over 36.5 million or 55.1% of its subscribers already registered, but the company reiterates its appeal for all mobile users.

“Extending the deadline will give our remaining 45% subscriber base ample time to register. At present, all 160 million subscribers in the country are given only 121 days to register. Comparatively, in other countries like Indonesia and India, PTEs were given 1 to 2 years of a registration window to better prepare for and promote SIM registration,” said Cathy Yang, PLDT and Smart FVP and Group Head for Corporate Communications.

“The extension will also help our subscribers secure valid IDs or proofs needed to register their SIM. We don’t want to alienate or leave behind the remaining 45% who have not yet registered,” she added.

Smart and its value brand TNT continue to provide physical assistance for SIM registration at several touchpoints all over the Philippines in collaboration with the DICT, NTC, DILG, and other partners.

Through this initiative, Smart and TNT aim to help those who may need assistance in registering their SIMs, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those using non-data phones.

New and existing Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers may also visit PLDT and Smart stores, or access Smart’s SIM registration portal through https://simreg.smart.com.ph/; Postpaid users can simply text YES to 5858, while Enterprise customers can confirm their registration through their authorized representatives.

“We teamed up with McDonald’s to help more subscribers register their SIMs. As the deadline for SIM registration approaches, we hope to make the process more convenient and accessible for more mobile users,” said Alex O. Caeg, PLDT and Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Sales Group.

“We welcome this collaboration with Smart to help our customers do more of what they love, like enjoying food together and connecting with family and friends — both of which they can do at any of our branches,” said Adi Hernandez, Corporate Relations Director of McDonald’s Philippines. 

Through this initiative, Smart and TNT aim to help subscribers who may need assistance in registering their SIMs, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those using non-data phones.

This activity is part of Smart’s efforts to ensure subscribers can continuously access mobile services and enable them to make the most of every moment and live more today.

New and existing Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers may also visit PLDT and Smart stores, or access Smart’s SIM registration portal through https://simreg.smart.com.ph/; Postpaid users can simply text YES to 5858, while Enterprise customers can confirm their registration through their authorized representatives.

McDonald’s branches with SIM registration (or visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/sim-reg-mcdo-stg):

• Pili, Camarines Sur – April 14, 17-21, 24-26

• San Jose NE, Occidental Mindoro – April 14, 17-21, 24-26

• Quad 3, Makati City – April 14, 17-21, 24-26

• Sucat San Antonio, Paranaque City – April 14, 17-21, 24-26

• La Salle, Taft, Manila – April 14, 17-21, 24-26

• Estancia Kalibo, Aklan – April 17-21, 24-26

• Carcar, Cebu – April 17-21, 24-26

• Escario, Cebu City – April 17-21, 24-26

• Colon Osmena, Cebu City – April 17-21, 24-26

• Toledo City, Cebu – April 17-21, 24-26

• Abucay, Tacloban, Leyte – April 17-21, 24-26

• Silay, Negros Occidental – April 17-21, 24-26

• Dumaguete Business Park, Negros Oriental – April 17-21, 24-26

• Primark Caibaan, Tacloban, Leyte – April 17-21, 24-26

• Valencia, Bukidnon – April 24-26

• Panabo City, Davao Del Norte – April 17-21, 24-26

• KJC Compound, Davao City – April 17-21, 24-26

• Pampanga, Davao City – April 17-21

• Damosa, Davao City – April 17-21, 24-26

• Mati City, Davao Oriental – April 17-21, 24-26

• San Miguel, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte – April 17-21, 24-26

• Cotabato City – April 17-21, 24-26

• CDO Limketkai, Cagayan de Oro – April 17-21, 24-26

• Lagao Gensan, General Santos – April 17-21, 24-26

• Gensan Highway – April 17-21, 24-26

• Guiwan, Zamboanga City – April 17-21, 24-26

Since the IRR has been implemented, Globe continued its awareness and educational campaigns through sustained digital posts, in-app notifications, use of traditional media, face-to-face communications, and instructional videos to drive urgency to register their SIMs.

Despite these efforts, we have seen a low registration count primarily due to the lack of valid government IDs, and challenged digital literacy.

Given these issues, we appeal to the government to extend the SIM registration process to give our customers more time to get their required government IDs and input the required information on our site. 

In order to maximize our efforts, we are also seeking the Government’s support on the following items:

○       Alternative Forms of Identification: Consider allowing alternative forms of identification, such as company IDs, school IDs, and barangay certificates, for those who do not have a valid government-issued IDs.

○       Allow conditional registration: Provide conditional registration options that allow individuals to continue using their telecommunication services while they work to obtain a valid ID within a reasonable period. They can either have a post-verification or update their details once they have the appropriate government ID

○       Create Always-On Government-Handled Assisted Registration Centers: Use government offices as hubs for SIM Registration through volunteers and LGU employees, complemented by ID issuance services.

Failure to register SIMs would result in deactivation and will be very disruptive to our customers, as their basic right to communication will be curtailed. This will impact several aspects of their daily life including banking (ayuda is distributed via e-wallets), e-commerce, transportation (ride-hailing apps, food delivery, etc), healthcare, education (online learning), entertainment and more.

Globe is working closely with the National Telecommunications Commission, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders in ensuring that we register as many subscribers as possible before the April 26 deadline.  Together, we will make sure that the implementation of the law will be effective and true to its intent to curb cybercrime, particularly SIM-enabled scam messaging.

“Our cybersecurity culture has led us to implement the toughest cyber defenses when it comes to data privacy and protection. Our goal has always been zero breach. We also assure our customers that we follow a legal procedure when there’s a valid request for information,” said Angel T. Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer at PLDT and Smart.

Redoble says the telco is in constant communication with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to boost measures securing customer information. PLDT and Smart have also made themselves available for consultation with relevant government agencies to aid them as they craft guidelines on how to further secure infrastructures and processes throughout the registration period.

Republic Act 11934 or the ‘Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act’ took effect in late December last year to curb crimes committed involving mobile communications technology. The law requires users to register their SIM cards or face deactivation. Customers are given until April 26, 2023 to complete the process.

For its part, Smart has supported government-led efforts to reach more subscribers. It has launched SIM Registration activities across the country to assist its customers. Toward the end of January, more than 13 million Smart and TNT customers have registered their SIM cards.

“Like what our President and CEO, Mr. Al Panlilio says, we are no longer securing systems but communities. We are always open to collaborate with different stakeholders to protect Filipinos from being victimized by cyber-attacks,” added Redoble.

PDLT and Smart are at the forefront of cybersecurity, protecting the group’s assets and their customers. As of end-2022, PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) thwarted more than 182 million cyber-attacks and breach attempts. CSOG has also amassed more than 123 million indicators of compromise in its threat intelligence database that it uses for cybersecurity correlation.

PLDT and Smart’s initiatives to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure is grounded in their customer-centric ideology that aims to deliver meaningful connections and experiences for their customers to live a fuller life. These programs highlight the Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 9 on Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure.

“We have taken specific steps to ensure that our SIM Registration will be inclusive. Our representatives and associates manning the booth are instructed to specifically ask for verbal permission so that they themselves can use our customers’ handsets, or do the registration on behalf of our customers using our own device, to register their SIMs. Our goal is to be able to register all Smart and TNT SIM users. As we speak we are preparing other solutions as needed, to make SIM Registration as inclusive as possible,” according to Cathy Yang, head of group corporate communications at PLDT and Smart.

As mandated by the SIM Registration Act, which aims to curb the proliferation of text scams and other mobile phone-aided criminal activities, 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 and TNT are also accelerating the deployment of SIM Registration booths and touchpoints all over the country, by collaborating with LGUs, partner stores, and regional and provincial distributors. The touchpoints offer assistance to Smart and TNT customers needing information on how to register their SIM, as well as provide physical assistance to customers with special circumstances – seniors, persons with disabilities, those still using basic phones.

Smart and TNT were the first to set up assisted SIM Registration in Iloilo and Davao. Every day, Smart and TNT are adding more touchpoints in different areas of the country, including in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol region, in the Visayas, and across Mindanao.

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   

·         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. 

All Smart and TNT customers are advised to register their SIMs before the deadline set by law, to keep these SIMs active and to help fight against scammers and predators online. 

There are an estimated 87.9 million SIM users in the Globe network.

All Globe Prepaid, TM, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi, Globe Mobile WiFi and Globe Business prepaid subscribers may register their SIMs at https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg beginning December 27, 2022. By January, customers will also be able to register through the New GlobeOne app. Globe and TM customers will continue to enjoy Globe services and may register until April 26, 2023 to avoid deactivation.

On the other hand, new SIM holders shall purchase deactivated SIMs starting December 27, 2022. Customers purchasing new Globe and TM SIMs must register them immediately to enjoy Globe services.  

Globe understands that there are customers including senior citizens, persons with disability and pregnant individuals who may need help in registering their SIMs. To address this, the company, with the help of the government, will put in place assisted registration sites by February 2023 for those in need of help, without access to the internet or are using basic or feature phones.

All existing Globe Postpaid, Globe Platinum, and Globe Business postpaid customers will be pre-registered by Globe using the details provided in their initial application. Globe will get in touch with its customers should there be missing information needed in order to comply with the requirements of the law.

“We are committed to provide our customers with an easy-to-use, secure, and inclusive registration process. We encourage all our customers to plan their registration dates, prepare their valid government IDs with photos to enjoy the full benefits of our services and to protect their personal information,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO of the  Globe Group.

For information about the SIM registration process, customers may visit www.globe.com.ph/help/sim-registration-act.html.