Globe, Smart still keen on longer SIM deadline


TWO public telecommunication entities (PTEs) reiterated their call for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to extend the deadline for subscriber identity module (SIM) registration.

“Globe reiterated its call for the DICT to extend the deadline so customers can obtain valid IDs — a key requirement for SIM registration that many SIM users lack, preventing them from completing registration,” Globe Telecom, Inc. said in a press release on Thursday.

“Pending response to our appeal for the government to extend the deadline, we call on all Globe SIM users to comply with the law,” Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest L. Cu said.

“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,” Smart Communications, Inc. First Vice-President and Group Head for Corporate Communications Catherine Y. Yang said in a separate press release.

“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,” she added.

On Wednesday, the DICT posted a statement that rejected the appeal of the three PTEs for the extension of SIM registration.

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