By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) on Monday called for the creation of a government identification (ID) database to validate subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration, improve security and deter the use of fake IDs.
In a statement, Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said there should be an official ID database that telecommunications companies (telcos) can use to verify the identity of registrants, such as the National ID, or Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) cards.
“There is no way for us to determine with 100 percent certainty if the identity is fake without a database from which we can validate the identity,” Castelo said.
To date, he said the SIM Registration Act provisions are strictly implemented, including only accepting required ID cards, using software to read text on IDs, and facial recognition to ensure registrants are real people.
“However, there are still criminals who can bypass this by using someone’s identity and then selling these registered SIM cards to scammers,” he said.
He reminded mobile users to register their SIM cards under their names, with the exemption of SIMs used by minors.
He also asked the public to never accept offers to register SIM cards on behalf of others in exchange for cash, as their identities may be used for scams that may result in the filing of criminal cases against them.
Earlier, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission called on telcos to strictly implement the SIM Registration Act following reports of “pre-registered” SIM cards being sold on social media.
Under Section 11 of the SIM Registration Act, selling or purchasing registered SIM cards are illegal and penalized by imprisonment of six months to six years and/or fines ranging from PHP100,000 to PHP300,000.
5G expansion
Meanwhile, Globe highlighted the expansion of its 5G network last year, with a total of 587 new 5G sites installed across the Philippines in 2024.
To date, Globe 5G covers 98.69 percent of the National Capital Region and 96.95 percent of select cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. (PNA)
