The Government announced today (February 8) that the public consultation period for the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards will be extended to March 20 to allow more time for the relevant industry and members of the public to study and discuss the proposal, and submit their views to the Government.
The Government launched a public consultation on January 30 on the proposal to implement the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards through a regulation made pursuant to the Telecommunications Ordinance. The regulation will provide the necessary legal basis for telecommunications operators to register, collate and keep the registration information of users as required. The proposal seeks to plug the loophole caused by the anonymous nature of SIM cards, especially pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards, and facilitate the prevention and detection of crimes related to the use of PPS cards, thereby maintaining people's confidence in the integrity of telecommunications services in Hong Kong. The consultation was originally scheduled to end on February 28.
The consultation document can be downloaded from the website of the Communications and Creative Industries Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (www.cedb.gov.hk/ccib/en/consultations-and-publications/SIM_Eng.pdf). Members of the public may submit their views to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau by email (SIM@cedb.gov.hk), fax (2511 1458) or post (Communications and Creative Industries Branch, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, 21/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong).
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