With the implementation of the SIM Registration Act, the two major telcos in the Philippines – Smart and Globe, were given some time to create their own portals that subscribers can access to register their SIMs.
Of course, it’s a given that these portals should be easily accessible, fast, and easy-to-use. Last December 27, both telcos opened their SIM registration sites, and while both had some hiccups, which is to be expected on day 1 (no system is perfect), I personally was able to register my SIM with both networks with no issues after a couple of days.
Today, we’ll be comparing Smart and Globe’s SIM Registration portal and process step by step, to see the things that were done well, and what we think could’ve been done better.
For this test, we’ll be using an OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G as our smartphone, in which we’ll load both SIM cards. We’ll be registering our SIMs via a Wi-Fi connection, and we’ll be using EDGE as the browser.
Thinking Ahead
Before we even start though, it’s important to note that even before registering a SIM, I think that giving the right instructions or having them ready from the get-go is a big plus, especially for non-tech-savvy users.
In this regard, Globe’s packaging already contains instructions on how to register the SIM card, while Smart’s doesn’t. Upon inserting both SIM cards, I also immediately received a text message from Globe with instructions on how to register the SIM card – something I did not get for Smart.
Accessing the SIM Registration Websites
At the time of writing, both Smart and Globe’s SIM Registration portals loaded quickly on the Edge browser.
The former welcomes you with a visual, along with the instructions on how to register a SIM. The latter, on the other hand, greets you with a less fancy site and immediately asks for your number.
Registration Process
As far as the steps are concerned, at least for prepaid users, it is mostly the same for both networks. There are some notable differences, however, that may or may not affect the user experience.
Both will first ask you for the mobile number of the SIM card you wish to register. Both will also send a One-Time Password (OTP) to your device for verification. Once you enter the code, both sites will now ask for your personal information.
As for what information you’ll need to supply. Both will ask for your full name, address, gender, nationality, and birthdate. You’ll notice that Smart’s website has separate sections, while Globe’s website has everything in one page. Another thing I also noticed is that Smart’s website automatically generates the ZIP code depending on the information you have provided, while Globe requires you to manually input the code.
Now, this is where things can get a bit tricky. Both sites also require you to upload a photo of a valid ID, and a selfie to go with it.
For Smart, the process is slightly different, as it immediately proceeds to do a scan of your face after uploading the photo of your ID to sort of match the data. If it fails to do so, you will then be asked to manually upload a selfie. Globe, on the other hand, simply asks you to upload both photos.
Note that Smart specifically uses Optical Character Recognition to capture the information shown on the photo you’ve uploaded.
The catch is that there is a limit to the file size of photos that you can upload. Smart sets it to 5MB, which I think is decent, and Globe sets it to 2MB, which I think is too little. In fact, I had to download an image resizer app to be able to upload my photos.
Another notable difference between the two websites is that before finishing your registration, Smart lets you review all of your inputs to make sure there are no errors in your information. Globe doesn’t have this, which in a way makes the process a little faster, but more prone to user errors.
When done, both sites will generate a number, which you should keep a record of. Take a screenshot or write down or however you want to store it. This serves as proof of your SIM registration. You will also get a text message to confirm that you have completed the process.
In the case of Smart, at least according to reports, I’m supposed to get 3GB of data upon successfully completing the SIM registration process. I did get 5GB though, but I’m not sure whether that’s for activating my SIM, or if it’s the said reward. Anyway, Globe doesn’t give you any of that, so.. That makes the Smart experience more rewarding in a way.
Postpaid
How about for postpaid? The good news is that postpaid subscribers don’t need to go through the same process as prepaid subscribers, as their information has already been submitted when they applied for their respective plans.
Globe Platinum/Postpaid subscribers are already pre-registered, and the telco’s FAQ mentions that it will get in touch to confirm the information, or complete any details to align it with what the new law requires,
Smart Postpaid subscribers, on the other hand, only need to text YES to 5858 to confirm the information that they submitted during their application. They’ll receive a confirmation message when the registration process is complete.
So, there you have it. A glimpse into the SIM Registration process for Smart and Globe. Which one do you think is better? Did your SIM registration experience go smoothly? Did you run into any issues? Let us know in the comments!
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
