SIM registrations hit 45.8 million, extension mulled

S ome 45.86 million SIMs have been registered as of March 15, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Friday, over a month before the registration closes.

“Tinitingnan natin ‘yan, may prerogrative ang DICT para magbigay ng additional 120-day extension pero hindi pa namin ‘yan tinitingnan. Gusto namin i-maximize muna ‘yung nalalabing araw bago ‘yung deadline,” Lamentillo said during a public briefing.

The official said they would be able to see the total number of “legitimate” number of SIM users once the registration process ends. Many SIM cards, she noted, were used for crime-related activities such as kidnapping and scams. She added that they are still studying the possibility of extending the SIM registration, as this would only run until April 26.