Jas Cruzada
House Bill No. 5231 or Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act was finally approved by the House of Representatives last Wednesday, May 20.
Under the HB 5231, the consumer is required to present a valid Identification card with photo (ex: Passport, Driver’s license, other valid Gov’t-issued IDs with picture) when purchasing a SIM card. Along with this, the consumer shall fill out a Registration form provided by the seller where the SIM card will be bought. Each SIM card will bear a corresponding control number issued by the network providers. The same applies to existing prepaid SIM card users; they should register their SIM cards to their service providers. Sellers shall forward these forms to the network providers who will then provide copies to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Photo Credit: photobucket.com
Only the consumer who will use the SIM card can purchase from the seller and should personally fill-out the form and present the valid IDs. In case the proof of identity of the consumer is compromised, a sale can be denied.
Failure to comply to the procedure subjects the seller and the Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) / network providers to penalty. A fine ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 pesos and license suspension for the seller and up to 1,000,000 for the network provider will be imposed.
**Featured Image credit to forbesimg.com
