Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, both telecom operators in the Philippines, have requested that the government extend the SIM registration deadline due to low registration rates. Currently, less than 50% of subscribers have completed the registration process.
Smart Communications has formally requested an extension of the registration deadline from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for 120 days from the original deadline of April 26. The extension would provide additional time for telecom subscribers to obtain valid proof of identity, which has been a challenge during the registration process.
The telecom company stated that disconnecting individuals from their sole mode of communication can result in their exclusion from important information and financial services. At present, only 46% of Smart's 160 million subscribers have completed their registration.
Smart established numerous assisted SIM registration booths in remote areas of the Philippines, in partnership with DICT and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Globe, on the other hand, registered 32% of its total base, equivalent to 27.9 million subscribers. They also requested an extension on the deadline, citing that their customers needed more time to submit their identification documents.
To simplify the process, Globe also urged the government to recognize alternative forms of identification since a lot of individuals do not possess official government documents.
DICT has announced that there are no plans to extend the deadline for SIM registration, and unregistered SIMs will be deactivated. On April 7, records indicate that only 36.8% of total subscribers had registered their SIM cards, or 62.2 million registered SIMs according to the regulator.
