Earlier this week, while talking to some executives of a local telco, I opened up the topic of prepaid SIM registration and asked why they’re not keen on implementing it on their own (without government mandate).
I told them that a recent poll on YugaTech readers, about 75% of over 2,000 respondents favor prepaid SIM registration.
Their answer was along the lines of logistical issues and and legal concerns (it’s basically the corporate lawyers telling everyone they can’t do some stuff that could open more legal problems in the future). I previously wrote about the pros and cons here as well.
So here was my suggestion:
1) Make registration voluntary. Only those who want to register will be initially included.
2) Integrate existing web services so deployment is fast and easy. Smart currently has my.Smart and Globe also has a Portal where people can register their mobile numbers.
3) Use this as verification of SIM ownership. So next time you lose, damage or accidentally blocked a SIM, you will only need to login to the website, de-activate the existing SIM, submit request for new one and even transfer the load credits, SMS and contact information (the last two need to be done as a web backup, prior to losing the SIM).
When claiming the new SIM in the business center, just present two valid IDs. No need for affidavit of loss and the SIM card tray.
That’s it. It’s a start, baby steps. No government involvement. We’ll worry about the other issues later.
It’s a win-win strategy — subscribers get added service and permanent ownership of a prepaid number while telcos can get to know more about the demographic profile of their subs.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
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Abel says:
I actually like that idea sir Abe… especially for people who would want to retain their old SIM numbers and who want protection from SIM fraud. I hope that will be an option for some end users
JM says:
I totally Agree to sir abe..great idea..hehehehe..
so hindi ka din pwede mag submit ng pakeng names..kasi once na gusto mong mag-claim..eh fake yung registered ID mo..wala ka magagawa..hehehe..
berns says:
Mine is already rigistered with my name because it is a Globe retailer SIM.
In case of lose I can recover my retailer load ;P
berns says:
Mine is already registered with my name because it is a Globe retailer SIM.
In case of loss I can recover my retailer load ;p
– typo error
Arvee says:
Great idea! However I don’t think the SMS that are saved on the sim can be backup-ed. Take the iPhone for example. The iPhone only uses the SIM to import contacts and as a way to connect to the network.
Aaron Cajes says:
Totally Agree. :)
It’s possible naman to transfer your current number to a new sim card(physical), why not make an online portal for “verified users”
Looking forward to this… ;)
Welsh says:
I total agree to this also…
however, we need to have a timeline also as to when we need to take the next baby step.
we cant be on baby step 1 forever…
just my 2 cents =)
Soul Annihilator says:
It’s a good start but I don’t like it to be voluntary forever. Sa una pwedeng gawing voluntary para makaiwas sa hassle pero after some time dapat maging mandatory na to sa lahat.
YO says:
seems interesting, sr. did htc lowered the price of HTC Mozart?? it’s already 14k+
jojo says:
sir, dito po sa brunei, lahat po ay required mag-submit ng photocopy ng passport o yung government issued identity card (IC) kung bumibili ng prepaid sim card kahit dun lang kayo bumili sa mga tabi-tabing store. kaya po walang mga text-scams dito.
johnny B says:
TOTALLY AGREE
Alain says:
I just hope replacing lost SIM is fast. It would be a pain if you have to wait x days for the telcos to verify your identity, your request and produce new sim cards. It’s not far-fetched. We all know how inefficient item replacement transactions usually are.
Conrad says:
Make telcos require subscribers to register their real identity first if they want to avail of uni-TXT promos so they cant use it to spam.
Mai says:
Totally agree. India makes sim registration mandatory, and manually BY PAPER, so online reg shouldn’t be such a big deal for Pinoys.
jonaflormicfren says:
It is an advantage for good and disadvantage for bad. I want it.
marin says:
a very neat idea…pero the way i see it …the telco wont be bothering doing it because it won’t increase their profits. they are only concern with what will benefit them.
Laess Apolo says:
I agree with everything except the voluntary part. It defeats the entire purpose of having SIMs registered. Only a small percentage will do so, just those who are really concerned, given the spoon-feeding mentality of the populace. For this to be successfully implemented the government will have to flex its muscle a bit albeit the negative reactions from telcos who are only so concerned with profit and couldn’t care much on security and order.
jojie says:
I really hope sim registration gets implemented. I have two cousins who have been victimized by fraud text claiming they are their love ones abroad with a new sim and asking for loads for so called business. This would hopefully help fix such problems.
sherwyn m. mapa says:
ano po ba ang posible na paraan para magamit ko o makuha ulit yon number ng sim na nawala ko,.umaasa po na sana ay mabigyan nyo ako ng solusyon para magamit ko ulit yon number ko na nawala, maraming salamat po…
sherwyn m. mapa says:
pede ko pa ba e register ang simcard ko kahit nawala na sha sa akin kahapon…..
Abner Urbano says:
Hi. I would like to learn about this method its very useful.
I have a problem now on how to change my pockect WiFi sim causing a lot of people using my connection. I don’t have my password yet on my pocket WiFi sim.
Thanks.
Abel Obile Omale says:
Dropped waivers to people