NEW TELECOMS RULE TO BE ENFORCED

Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card users are required to register their SIM cards starting from March 1 in accordance with the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards, the Government said today.

For new SIM cards, including SIM service plans and pre-paid SIM cards issued from March 1 onwards, users will need to complete real-name registration before activation.

Existing pre-paid SIM card users are required to complete real-name registration with their respective telecommunications operators on or before February 23 next year. Otherwise, their SIM cards will be rendered deactivated afterwards.

Existing SIM service plan users need not re-register unless they switch to another telecommunications operator or subscribe to a new phone number, the Government clarified.

Users can follow the operators’ instructions to complete the registration via different channels. Individual users are required to provide their name, date of birth, Hong Kong identity card number and its copy for registration. Registration of users aged below 16 requires endorsement by an adult aged 18 or above, as well as the adult’s personal information.

Meanwhile, corporate users have to present their business registration information and designate a responsible person whose personal data has to be provided.

Pursuant to the Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation, the real-name registration programme is applicable to all SIM cards issued by telecommunications operators of Hong Kong to be used for local communications, including voice, data and/or SMS services. Under this programme, each individual user may register no more than 10 pre-paid SIM cards with each operator, whereas each corporate user may register up to 25 pre-paid SIM cards with each operator.

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