The Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards should not be pre-activated.  For every new SIM card purchased, the user needs to register the SIM card number with the E Card number to a Four (4) digit number issued by the telecom operators.  Once authenticated, that is the only time the SIM card will be activated and can be used by the owner.  With this idea, SIM cards will now be associated with its owners in real time.  Tracking down the SIM card owner will be easier if and when the reported mobile numbers were used for illegal activities.

Here are the questions from our readers and my answers:

1.  Why punish us honest and legitimate users?  Let them catch the culprits instead.
Ans: The right word is "Protect", not punish.  The new procedure will protect our innocent mobile users (like you) from scammers.  It would be difficult to catch the fraudsters if they can just throw away the old SIM card used for scamming and buy a new SIM card and look for new victims again.  How can you catch someone with no identity at all?

2.  What happens if someone reported that they lost their "E" cards or was stolen and then reapplied? He/She will have Two (2) or more "E" cards.
Ans: If someone lost his/her "E" Card, the legal owner should be the one to report it to the operators.  Once verified, all SIM card numbers associated with the lost "E" card will automatically be deactivated by the telecom operators, so as the lost "E" card number.  Only then a new "E" card should be issued.  The user should again register his/her new mobile number and the "E" card number.

3.  We are Five (5) in the family.  Are you suggesting that each one of us should apply for an "E" card?
Ans: For as long as you're willing to take full responsibility, you don't need to buy an "E" card for each of your family members.  Your family can use your "E" card for registration.  You just have to remember that you will be liable for any illegal activities conducted associated with your "E" card.

4.  What if I lost my phone or was stolen?  Do I need to get a new E card again? 
Ans: NO.  But you need to report your lost phone so that the SIM card number will be deactivated and be excluded from your "E" card record.

5.  How about the OFW's?  They're prepaid users too.  How will they get their "E" cards?
Ans:  Telecom operators do have offices abroad, they can issue the "E" cards for our OFWs and conduct identity investigation.  Technology allows all offices to be connected to the central office.  So location is not an issue.

6.  Will I get the 'E' card as soon as I applied?  Or do I need to wait for a couple of days?
Ans:  I don't think that is possible since telecom operators need to conduct background checks on the applicants.  Three (3) to Five (5) will be enough I guess before the "E" card can be issued.

7.  I am using Prepaid SIM cards from Smart, Globe and Sun.  Are you suggesting that I get Three (3) EC cards?
Ans: If the telecom operators agree to issue a Unified "E" Cards, then we need only One (1) "E" card.  If not, then my answer to your question is YES, you need to have different "E" cards for each operator.

8.  Why not use the National ID system card instead rather than having another card for this?
Ans: You are right, the National ID system card can be used for this.  My question is when are we going to have the National ID system?  What are we going to do while our lawmakers are debating on whether the National ID system will be implemented or not?

9.  Nice suggestion.  But don't you think the scammers will think of other ways to get around your solution?
Ans: Yes, I agree with you that scammer may think of other ways to get around the idea.  My question is can they really do it.  You have to remember that the system is totally controlled by the telecom operators.  They can control which SIM cards should be activated and deactivated. Unless their system is compromised or hacked, I don't think the scammers can do anything about it.

10.  The telecom operators are revenue oriented.  Your suggestion will affect their sales.  They won't do it, believe me. 
Ans:  As much as I want to believe you, I am optimistic that they will do something about it.  It is not important whether they follow my suggestion or not.  The important thing is for them to solve the problem at hand.  While educating the public is a good step, the fastest, easiest and the most effective solution to this problem is for the telecom operators to come up with a new procedure that will enable them to associate SIM cards to its owners.  Some control should be done here.

11.  What happens to our existing prepaid SIM cards if in case the telecom operators follow your advice?  Are you asking us to buy new SIM cards and throw away our old cards?
Ans: NO.  During registration, you have to include your old SIM card.  Once authenticated, you still need to register your old SIM card with your issued "E" card to the Four (4) digit number assigned by the operators.  The telecom operator should allocate a reasonable time for existing mobile users to register.  Afterwhich all unregistered SIM cards should be deactivated.

12.  It won't work.  Your suggestion will give the operators more money.  Are you getting some of it?  Do you think you are better than the government agencies and the telecommunication operators? 
Ans:  Do you think the telecom operators will give me a share of it after suggesting something that would affect their revenue?  Changing an already tested money earning formula is not easy to anyone.  If you have a better suggestion, share it with the mobile community.  Again, it is not important that my suggestion be implemented or followed, the important thing is we have to do something effective to stop the text scams.  Who suggested the solution is not important here.

I would like to thank you my dear readers for your questions.  This goes to show that you are concern about the present situation that is happening to the mobile world.  I would also like to thank Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Chairman Vigilio Peña and National Computer Center (NCC) Director General Tim Diaz De Rivera for sharing my views that indeed something should be done here.  I got no reply from National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) Commissioner Ronald Olivar Solis but thank you anyway.

One (1) telecom operator executive informed me that they are going through my suggestion.  The other operators are mum about the matter but I am sure they're seriously reviewing my idea as well.  I will be waiting for your official statements my operator friends.  

To our readers, email us your suggestions/ideas on how to solve this problem.  Am logging off.  God Bless us all!

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