Things to know about the real-name registration system for phone cards
!Main StoreTemporarily onlyPhone cards in Hong Kong and Taiwan require real-name registration!
Hongkong(Communications Authority)
The Telecommunications (Registration of User Identity Cards) Regulations (the “Regulations”) officially came into effect on September 1, 2021 to implement the real-name registration system for telephone smart cards (the “Phone Card Real-Name Registration System”). The Regulation specifies that from March 1, 2022, phone smart card users must start registering their phone smart cards with their respective telecommunications operators in real name.
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All phone smart cards (including monthly subscription services and phone prepaid cards) must complete real-name registration before activating the service.
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Current monthly subscription service users do not need to register again unless they switch channels or apply for a new phone card.
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You must complete the real-name registration of the phone smart card using your original identity document.
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Hong Kong identity card holders should use Smart Access to complete the real-name registration of their phone stored-value cards. Otherwise, the telecommunications operators will manually verify the submitted registration information upon receiving the relevant registration request and complete the required procedures before activating the phone card.
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Do not buy phone prepaid cards from the market that are of unknown origin and claim to have been registered.
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Telecommunications operators will conduct random checks on registration information from time to time upon request. If any inappropriate situation is found, the relevant user should cooperate with the telecommunications operator to verify the registered information, otherwise the registration of the relevant telephone stored-value card will be cancelled and it will no longer be able to be used. The relevant reminder SMS messages sent by telecom operators will use the registered SMS sender name "#SIMREG" for easy identification by users.
Taiwan(Taiwan National Communications Commission)
According to Taiwan's regulations, all phone cards used in Taiwan (including prepaid cards) need to be registered with real names. The following are the relevant regulations:
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Since 2018, Taiwan has required all users who purchase phone cards (including prepaid cards) to provide identification documents for real-name registration.
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Foreign travelers (including Hong Kong travelers) are required to provide their passports or other valid identification documents.
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When purchasing a phone card, you need to complete the registration at the telecom operator's store or authorized dealer.
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Some telecom operators provide online registration services, and travelers can upload their identity documents through the website or APP after purchase.
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Hong Kong travelers are required to provide a valid passport.
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Some telecom operators may have special regulations on the validity period and usage restrictions of prepaid cards for foreign travelers. It is recommended to understand them in advance.