MANILA – A bill requiring the registration of all prepaid mobile phone subscriber identity module (SIM) cards has cleared the House of Representatives.
House Bill 5231, which consolidates nine versions of the proposed “SIM Card Registration Act,” will obligate sellers of prepaid SIM card to have buyers fill out a control numbered registration form issued by the mobile phone service provider that owns the SIM card.
A buyer who cannot produce valid identification with a photo such as a passport, driver’s license or any government-issued ID card may be denied of sale. Sellers are expected to submit the completed forms to the mobile phone service provider within 15 days from date of sale.
Previously, prepaid SIM card can be bought practically by anyone and be used liberally. Since these SIM cards can’t be used to trace their users, it has been used by criminal groups to cover their trails or even as mean to commit credit fraud and other related misdeeds.
In another light, however, the law could open a new data source offering deeper insight about prepaid users, though details of its possibility has yet to be discussed.
A key part of the proposed law is authorizing telecommunication companies like Globe Telecom and Smart Communications to deactivate the services of unregistered existing pre-paid SIM card subscribers.
However, telcos, may face hefty fines ranging from P300,000 to P1 million for violations. Sellers who fail to comply will also face suspension on top of a fine ranging from P5,000 to P50,000.
