The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) should set up kiosks for the ongoing registration of mobile SIM cards, Senator Nancy Binay said Thursday.
Binay, a member of the Senate public services panel, made the call after the first two days of the SIM card registration were marred by delays, if not glitches and fake advisories on registration.
Earlier in the day, the National Telecommunications Commission said over 3 million SIM cards have been registered as of the second day of the effectiveness of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Card Registration Act.
Based on data released by the NTC, there were 3,319 million SIM cards registered as of December 28 — 530,424 with DITO Telecommunity Corp.; 1,769,374 with Globe Telecom Inc.; and 1,019,207 with Smart Communications Inc.
“We should take the operational model used during the pandemic in which the LGUs had their COVID-19 vaccination centers. This means there is an offsite venue, a mobile kiosk that would serve as an inquiry/information booth, and at the same time as a registration center that would assist non-techie mobile users, and those without internet access,” Binay said in a statement.
Binay said the confusion in the registration, and the unexpected technical glitches have brought out problems on both ends of the registration process.
“We understand the birth pains, and so we should simplify the process of registering and be of help to those who are not savvy when it comes to mobile transactions,” Binay added.
Binay said that while the DICT should take the lead, other state agencies and the private telecommunication firms should also work with the DICT to operationalize the mobile kiosk initiative.
Such agencies, Binay said, include the National Telecommunications Commission and Philippine Information Agency, as well as LGUs.
In addition, Binay urged the DICT to come up with an omnibus and unified nationwide information drive to guide the public about SIM card registration, and provide free internet access in offsite registration centers for mobile users who do not have internet access.
The SIM Card Registration law obliges every public telecommunications entity (PTE) or any direct seller to require the end user of a SIM card to present a valid identification document with photo to ascertain the latter’s identity.
Likewise, the law provides that PTE or any direct seller will require the end user to complete and sign a control-numbered registration form issued by the respective PTE of the SIM card purchased. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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