NTC warns vs sale of pre-registered SIMs

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday issued a warning against violators of the SIM Registration Act, particularly those selling  pre-registered SIMs.

In a statement, the NTC said it conducted a dialogue with telcos, SIM distributors, and dealers to discuss the importance of compliance with the SIM Registration Act.

The telecommunications regulator said it emphasized the prohibition against the sale of pre-registered SIM cards and irregular forms of assisted registration. 

Citing the SIM Registration Law, the NTC said the sale of pre-registered SIM cards “pose serious risks to public safety.”

It said violations would entail penalties of up to six years imprisonment or fine up to P300,000, or both, upon conviction of the end-user.

"The NTC is committed to ensuring the integrity of SIM registration processes across the telecommunications industry," said NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez.  

"Through these dialogues, we aim to clarify regulatory requirements and expectations while fostering cooperation among telcos, distributors and dealers to uphold the law,” said Lopez.

The NTC said that engagements with industry stakeholders are necessary to promote awareness and adherence to regulatory standards. 

“These efforts are pivotal in safeguarding the interests of consumers and ensuring a secure telecommunications environment nationwide,” said Lopez. —VAL, GMA Integrated News