Smart prepares for SIM registration

PLDT Inc.’s Smart Communications is working with private sector and government stakeholders to ensure the “easy and convenient” implementation of the SIM Registration Law.

Aimed at combating cases of fraud and other illegal activities, the law requires mobile phone subscribers to register their SIM cards and present documents to verify their identities.

Roy Ibay, vice president and head of regulatory at Smart, said the company was coordinating with counterparts in the crafting of the law’s implementing rules.

These stakeholders include the National Telecommunications Commission, telco providers and other relevant agencies and regulators.

Ibay said this was “necessary for the orderly and effective implementation of our SIM Registration Law and to guide [telcos] like Smart in the preparation of their platforms and over-all processes.”

“With access to the internet already a fundamental human right, Smart is committed to enable Filipinos across the country with fast and reliable mobile data connectivity. It is the paramount interest of Smart to ensure that the implementation of the SIM Registration Law will be easy and convenient for subscribers and will not deprive subscribers of their right to connectivity,” said Francis E. Flores, senior vice president at Smart.

Flores added the company was also preparing by reviewing “global practices and technology solutions from other countries that have already implemented SIM registration.”

Efforts to curb criminal schemes like text scams have started even without the new law, Smart noted.

It has actively blocked SIMs that send “smishing” messages, which attempt to trick victims into giving up sensitive personal data that could be used to compromise their financial accounts.

Smart has also blocked links that enable these illegal activities. PLDT and Smart invested close to P3 billion last year in cybersecurity infrastructure “to help safeguard the public against emerging cyberthreats, vulnerabilities, and other online criminal activities.”