No further extension of SIM registration as July 25 deadline nears

The July 25 deadline for SIM registration will no longer be extended.

”Based sa discussions po namin with the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) ay wala na pong extension na ibibigay po. Hanggang July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. po na lamang ang deadline natin para marehistro iyong mga active SIMs,” National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Deputy Commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan told state broadcaster PTV on Tuesday.

Registered SIMs stood at 103.67 million as of July 17, representing 61.7% of the total subscriber base of 168 million, according to NTC data.

“Na-hit naman na po natin ano iyong projected or expected number of registrants po natin which is 100 million up to 110 million. So, we’re hoping po na umabot pa ito ng 110 million by July 25,” Salvahan said.

The registration period, which began last December, was supposed to end on April 26, but the government extended it by 90 days from April 25, as only around half of the subscriber base had been registered.

The SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934), which seeks to provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools to deter crimes committed using SIM cards, allows an extension of up to 120 days.

Non-registration will result in the deactivation of SIMs and eSIMs, barring individuals from receiving and sending calls and text messages and accessing mobile applications and digital wallets, the DICT had said.