The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)-IX urged all unregistered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card users to register under the SIM Card Registration Act (Republic Act No. 11934) before the July 25 deadline to avoid the consequences of non-compliance.

“If you don’t register your SIM card, all your transactions, social media accounts, to include your e-wallet accounts come July 25 would automatically be considered as SIM dead,” NTC-IX Chief Administrative Officer Elre Galo said during last Tuesday’s press briefing at City Hall. 

SIM death, the official explained, means the number associated with the unregistered SIM card would be deactivated so all accounts created using or associated with the same would be affected.

“Once deactivated, you have to buy a new SIM,” he reiterated. “You will have to start all over again.”

This is especially a concern for users of electronic wallets (e-wallets) such as GCash, ePay and PayMaya since SIM death will render them unable to access their funds. The same is true for accessing social media and gaming accounts that require a phone number.

According to the NTC official, only 61% of the total 168M sold in the country have registered as of July 7.

Under the law, all existing and new subscribers are required to register their SIM cards until July 25. (Claudine Uniana)