The Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation (the Regulation) took effect on September 1 last year to implement the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards (Real-name Registration Programme). According to the Regulation, SIM card users are required to register their SIM cards starting from March 1 this year.
New SIM cards, including SIM service plan (SSP) services and pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards issued from this date onwards will need to complete real-name registration before activation. Existing PPS card users are required to complete real-name registration with respective telecommunications operators on or before February 23, 2023. PPS cards without real-name registration will be rendered deactivated after the aforementioned deadline. Existing SSP users are not required to re-register unless they change to another telecommunications operator or subscribe to a new phone number.
Real-name registration is easy, convenient and fast. SIM card users can follow the instructions of the registration notification as sent out by respective telecommunications operators via SMS messages or other means to complete registration via different channels, including retail shops, mobile applications or websites of the telecommunications operators. Individual users are required to provide their name, date of birth, Hong Kong identity (HKID) card number and an HKID card copy for registration. Registration of SIM card users aged below 16 requires endorsement by an adult aged 18 or above, and the personal information of that adult will need to be registered at the same time. Corporate users are required to provide business registration information and designate a responsible person, with the personal information of that person provided.
Under the Real-name Registration Programme, each individual user may register no more than 10 PPS cards with each telecommunications operator, whereas each corporate user may register up to 25 PPS cards with each telecommunications operator. There is no upper limit on the number of registrable SSP cards. For details of the Real-name Registration Programme, please visit the website: www.ofca.gov.hk/simreg.
The Government will progressively launch a series of publicity items to remind the public that the Real-name Registration Programme has already started. The Government will also collaborate with various government departments, social welfare organisations and telecommunications operators to assist groups in need to complete real-name registration through multiple channels. Details of the assistance measures will be announced in due course.
The Real-name Registration Programme commenced on September 1 last year and will be implemented in two phases. Within phase one (i.e. on or before February 28, 2022), telecommunications operators are required to put in place relevant infrastructure and systems for implementing real-name registrations in accordance with the Regulation. The Communications Authority has issued guidelines to telecommunications operators to provide information on the specific operational details and requirements of the Real-name Registration Programme. The Real-name Registration Programme is applicable to all SIM cards issued by telecommunications operators of Hong Kong to be used for local person-to-person communications (including voice, data and/or SMS services).
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