Gov’t hits ‘soft target’ of 100m registered SIMs

By Darwin Amojelar

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said 100.2 million SIM cards were registered as of June 22 or 59.67 percent of the 168 million subscribers nationwide.

DICT Assistant Secretary for CyberSecurity and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian Dy said in a radio interview that the agency already reached its “soft target.”

Data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) showed that Smart Communications Inc. registered 71.44 percent or 47.36 million out of its 66.30 million subscribers, while Globe Telecom Inc. registration rate was at 52.88 percent or 45.95 million out of its 86.74 million subscribers.

DITO Telecommunity registered 46.35 percent or 6.93 million out of 14.96 million subscriber base.

The DICT earlier extended the SIM registration period for another 90 days or until July 25.

“There is no further extension. Even if we want it, there will be further extension because under the law,