The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today announced that starting October 1, Hong Kong identity (HKID) card holders completing real-name registration for pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards via telecommunications service providers' online registration platforms can by default register and verify their identities through the iAM Smart mobile application.

The enhancement aims to ensure the effective implementation of the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards and enable the public to activate PPS cards more conveniently.

According to the Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation, Hong Kong residents must use HKID cards for real-name registration.

If people choose not to use iAM Smart for real-name registration, telecommunications service providers will manually verify registration information submitted. PPS cards will only be activated after completion of real-name registration procedures.

To help the public understand more about the enhancement, the OFCA and the Digital Policy Office jointly conducted publicity and education activities in Mong Kok today, with mobile registration teams assisting people in registering for iAM Smart on-site.

Additionally, the OFCA has requested that telecommunications service providers step up their inspection of user information in relation to PPS cards and refer suspicious cases to Police for follow-up to assist in combating phone deception.

As of the end of August, telecommunications service providers had rejected around 3 million registration requests due to applicants failing to provide information in compliance with the registration requirements. Around 2.64 million non-compliant PPS cards had been deregistered.