Smart calls for additional 120 days for SIM registration
Smart asks for additional 120 days to allow its remaining subscribers to register.
Extended SIM registration sought
Cathy Yang, FVP and group head for corporate communications of PLDT and Smart, told CNN Philippines that around 55.8 percent or more than 37 million of Smart and TNT subscribers have successfully registered since it started on Dec. 27.
We are asking for another 120 days from after April 26 to allow the 44 percent prepaid and postpaid subscribers to get to register their SIMs, she said.
Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, the DICT may extend the registration period up to 120 days.
Yang said it is possible to hasten the process if the extension will be granted as the telco observed an increase in registrations since April 1.
The number of registrations has reached 450,000 daily from 200,000 to 300,000 per day, she said.
If this will not be granted, around 44 percent of the telco's subscribers will get their SIM deactivated. In effect, they will lose their means of communication and access to several services that require a mobile phone number, Yang noted.
Department of Information and Communications Technology Sec. Ivan Uy said authorities are set to meet with telcos and other stakeholders on Monday to determine the next steps for the SIM registration.
Yang said among the concerns they want to be addressed is allowing the use of alternative IDs since not all have access to government-issued ones.
If we can simplify it for the subscribers, that’s going to be a big help, she said.
The DICT initially rejected the appeal of telcos to extend the SIM registration deadline.
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Via: CNN Philippines
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