Office of the Communications Authority - Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards

The Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation (the "Regulation") has taken effect on 1 September 2021 to implement the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards ("Real-name Registration Programme").

The Regulation requires that, users should complete real-name registration for their SIM cards with their telecommunications service providers from 1 March 2022.

General Registration Steps

Real-name registration for SIM cards is easy, convenient and fast. Major steps are summarised as follows -

General Steps for Registration by Individual Users
		Insert pre-paid SIM card, activate mobile data service and disconnect from Wi-Fi Check the notification SMS sent by telecom service provider to start the registration procedures The notification SMS should contain the mobile number of the PPS card, name of telecom service provider, registration link etc.
		Input or confirm the mobile no. or ICCID no. of the SIM card which requires real-name registration Telecom service providers may send one-time password to user, and require the user to input the password for verification
		Select the type of ID document, take photo of the original ID document and upload the image concerned If a user possesses HKID card, he/she must use his/her HKID card to complete real-name registration 1. Registration of user aged below 16 requires endorsement of an adult aged 18 or above, registration of personal information of the adult and an indication of the relationship with the adult concerned. 2. Corporate user needs to provide valid business/branch registration certificate and its number, and name of the business, corporation or branch in Chinese and in English (if applicable) as well as personal information of an individual aged 18 or above named as the responsible person.
		Check and confirm the required information extracted from the ID document, or input the required information (as the case may be) Make amendments if necessary
		Acknowledge the disclaimers relating to Real-name Registration & collection of personal data
		Complete registration / activation of service Users who have successfully completed real-name registration will receive a confirmation SMS from telecom service providers

Please refer to the actual procedures provided by your telecommunications service providers.

You may also visit retail outlets of your telecommunications service providers, if available, to request for assistance to complete real-name registration.

Information Required for Real-Name Registration

Individual User	Corporate User
✔ Name in English and Chinese	✔ Name of the business, corporation or branch in English and Chinese
✔ Date of birth*	✔ Personal information of an individual aged 18 or above named as the responsible person
✔ HKID card number#	✔ Number of the valid business/branch registration certificate~
✔ HKID card copy#	✔ Copy of the business/branch registration certificate^
* Registration of user aged below 16 requires endorsement of an adult aged 18 or above and information of that adult will be registered. # Please present original identification document for verification. For an applicant not holding a HKID card, information of a valid identification document will be used for registration, but need to provide statements to the effect that he/she (i) does not hold a HKID card; and (ii) has not used other identification documents for registration.	~ Organisation user not holding valid business/branch registration certificate can only register SSP ^ Please present original certificate for verification

Maximum Registration Quota with Each Local Telecommunications Service Provider

PPS Cards	SSP Cards
Individual user - up to 10 cards	No limit
Corporate user - up to 25 cards	No limit

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which types of SIM card will require real-name registration? Is there any specific timeframe to complete the registration?

All SIM cards issued by telecommunications service providers in Hong Kong for person-to-person communications in Hong Kong will need to complete real-name registration.
From 1 March 2022 onwards, all newly effective SIM cards (including new SSP and new PPS cards) will require real-name registration before activation.
If you are an existing PPS card user, your telecommunications service providers will send you SMS notification(s) to remind you to register by 23 February 2023. Please follow relevant instructions stated in the SMS notification(s) to complete timely real-name registration. PPS cards without real-name registration can no longer be used after this date.

Do I need to complete real-name registration if I am a user under SSP?

SSP that took effect before 1 March 2022 is not required to re-register unless the user concerned changes to another service provider or subscribe to a new phone number

SSP subscribed on or after 1 March 2022 onwards will require real-name registration before activation.

Do I need to complete real-name registration immediately upon my purchase of a new PPS card?

From 1 March 2022 onwards, all new PPS cards will require real-name registration before activation. PPS card users can register their PPS cards based on their own need before service activation.

How can I ascertain the name of my telecommunications service provider and obtain other information of my PPS cards for completing real-name registration?

Telecommunications service providers will send SMS messages by batches via the designated sender address ”SIMREG” to the existing users of PPS cards to remind users to complete real-name registration on or before 23 February 2023.
The SMS message should contain the information of the telecommunications service provider, mobile number of the PPS card and relevant registration means etc. to facilitate the user to complete the registration.

What channels can I use to complete real-name registration?

Different telecommunications service providers will provide different registration channels, for example –

online registration via a mobile phone/mobile app
online registration by accessing the telecommunications service provider's website
in-person registration at retail shops (applicable to telecommunications service providers who have retail outlets)

Please refer to the consolidated list for registration channels provided by different telecommunications service providers.

Which types of identification documents will fulfil the real-name registration requirements of the Regulation?

Hong Kong residents must use HKID cards for real-name registration.
If an individual user does not have a HKID card, he/she can use other valid identification document (such as valid travel document or passport*) as specified in the Regulation for completing real-name registration.

*A British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport will not be recognised as a valid proof of identity for completing real-name registration.

How can I upload my identification documents for real-name registration?

You may take a picture of your original identification document by using a tablet/ smartphone equipped with camera. Some telecommunications service providers also accept uploading image of your identification document to the registration platform. Please follow the instructions of the online registration platform of your telecommunications service provider for completing the registration.

How do I know if my registration has been successfully completed?

Telecommunications service providers will issue an SMS message to PPS card users for notifying the successful completion of real-name registration. If you are unable to receive any SMS notification, please contact your telecommunications service providers direct for further inquiries.

Do I need to pay to complete my real-name registration?

NO, users are not required to pay to complete real-name registration.

What should I do if I have problems about my registration?

You may contact your telecommunications service provider first or hotline of OFCA (2961-6699) for further inquiries.

How should I differentiate if my newly purchased PPS card requires completing real-name registration before activation?

PPS cards sold after 1 March 2022 should contain an explicit notice on the package, such as "Real-name registration is required before use" printed or affixed, and relevant instructions to allow easy identification by users.
From 1 March 2022 onwards, citizens are advised to avoid purchasing PPS cards which do not require real-name registration before activation, lest these unregistered PPS cards will be deactivated after the registration period owing to a failure to comply with the Regulation.

What is the main purpose of requiring a corporate/organisation user to provide a responsible person under the real-name registration of SIM card?

It mainly aims at facilitating the law enforcement agency(ies) to contact the corporate/organisation user for the provision of SIM card record as and when necessary.

Weblinks and Contact Information for Real-name Registration of Pre-paid SIM Cards by Telecommunications Service Providers

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