Views Sought On SIM Registration

The Government announced today that the public consultation period for the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards will be extended to March 20.

It launched a public consultation on January 30 to seek views on the proposal to implement the real-name registration programme through a regulation made pursuant to the Telecommunications Ordinance.

The legislative move provides the necessary legal basis for telecommunications operators to register, collate and keep the registration information of users as required under the regulation.

The proposal seeks to plug the loophole caused by SIM cards’ anonymous nature, especially pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards, and facilitate the prevention and detection of crimes related to PPS card usage.

The public consultation was originally scheduled to end on February 28.

Views can be submitted by email to [email protected], faxed to 2511 1458 or posted to the Communications & Creative Industries Branch, Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, 21/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.