Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Wednesday said it is currently working with telecommunications companies to look into the legality of the proposal to deactivate certain mobile phone applications and services for users whose SIM remain unregistered during the 90-day extension for listing.
“We are closely coordinating that with the telcos and studying that thoroughly if that is legally and technically feasible and if we have enough time to implement it if and when it is found to be legally and technically feasible,” NTC deputy commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
On Tuesday, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said the agency is discussing with telcos the possibility of limiting the access of unregistered subscribers to some social media applications and services during the 90-day period so consumers will experience the consequences of failing to registering their numbers.
\”Let’s say after the 60 days, you will lose your access to your Facebook accounts or our TikTok accounts, but you still can use your phone, you can still call, you can still text. And then after a certain period, you will lose your outgoing calls,\” Uy explained.
Salvahan said a final study or resolution may be issued on the matter this week until next week.
If approved, the telcos will be responsible for deactivating the apps or some services for their subscribers with unregistered SIM.
The official said the same tactic has been implemented in other countries.
In India, a number of Chinese mobile applications, like TikTok, are banned due to security concerns.
In a separate statement, Smart said it may be difficult for the company to implement the proposal.
“With regards to the gradual deactivation being evaluated by the DICT, the discussions among the DICT, the NTC, and the mobile network operators are still ongoing. Our initial assessment is that it would be difficult for us to implement due to time constraints,” said Cathy Yang, first vice president and head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
Yang added the company has been exerting efforts by sending out reminders in various channels, and deploying assisted booths to reach more of its users and encourage those who have yet to register to already do so.
So far, Salvahan said 87.4 million SIM were already registered, which is 52% of the 168 million active SIM in the country.
