Cell Phones and Providers
Having a cell phone while traveling is essential, and the Philippines is no exception. Whether you are visiting for a short vacation or an extended stay, it is crucial to have the means to communicate with your loved ones and authorities in case of emergencies. There are a few options for securing cellular service during your visit. You can either use your sim card and phone number from your home country with an international package plan, or you can purchase a sim card upon arrival in the Philippines. Obtaining a sim card in the Philippines has its advantages. Sim cards are readily available at street corners and mall kiosks, and they are very affordable, costing only about ₱300 pesos or $4 US. While sim cards used to be distributed for free at NAIA, Manila's International Airport, in terminals 1, 3, and 4, recent changes in sim regulations and airport operations may have affected this practice. Having a cell phone with a local sim card is highly recommended for travelers in the Philippines. It ensures that you can stay connected with your loved ones and access help quickly in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
How to get set up with a sim card...
As mentioned earlier, SIM cards are readily available at most international terminals in airports. However, they can also be found at various street corners, tindahans (local household stores), or 7/11 stores. Local vendors sell these SIM cards on behalf of cellular companies, allowing them to earn a small commission while also securing your phone account with the telco. If you have an international phone or an unlocked device, you are ready to get started. These cards come with a phone number but do not have any pre-loaded credits. Simply inquire with locals about where to purchase SIM cards.
Once you have the SIM card, you will need to add credits to use it. These credits, known as "loads", are essentially monetary value added to the SIM for usage. Typically, the same vendor who sells you the SIM card will also offer loads. Now, let's delve into how this process works in more detail... The vendor, who is the seller, purchases a large amount of load from the cellular company and stores it on his personal phone. He
will then sell you the desired amount of load and transfer it from his phone to yours using your phone number. This process is quick and easy, taking only seconds to complete. However, it is crucial to ensure that you provide the vendor with the correct phone number when purchasing a load. If the number is incorrect, the load amount may be transferred to another person's number, and you will not be able to retrieve it. In such
cases, you will be held responsible for the mistake and will have to compensate the vendor. To avoid any errors, write down your phone number on a piece of paper and hand it to the vendor. By doing so, you can prove that you provided the correct number in case of any discrepancies. Loads can be purchased in various amounts, typically starting at ₱20 pesos (35¢), depending on the vendor's availability. These loads provide
voice and text services, but if you require a data plan, it is recommended to visit a mall, cellular kiosk, or company store to purchase a package that includes internet data. Some great deals can be found for both data and cell services for around ₱300 pesos ($6 US). While most loads do have an expiration date, they usually last for about a year before expiring. Some companies are now offering data and cell services with no expiration, which is becoming more common. It is likely that larger companies will have to adopt this practice in the future to remain competitive in the market.
At the present time, there are three major mobile telecom network providers in the Philippines. They are: ABS-CBN, Globe and PLDT.
Here are the brands they sell under:
| ABS-CBN Convergence | Globe Telecom | PLDT |
|---|---|---|
| ABS-CBN Mobile | Globe | Smart |
| Touch Mobile | Sun Cellular | |
| Talk n Text |
Registration
Recently, a new law was enacted in the Philippines mandating the registration of every SIM card. This legislation was put in place to combat the issue of criminals exploiting unregistered phone numbers to perpetrate scams and fraud, only to discard the SIM card and acquire a new one to continue their illicit activities. According to the law, all SIM cards must be registered with the respective telecommunications provider. For tourists visiting the Philippines, they are allowed to register their SIM cards for a period of 30 days. If their stay extends beyond this time frame, they are required to re-register their SIM card every thirty days thereafter. Most vendors are able to assist with the registration process, which involves providing information such as passport number and a selfie photo. The registration process for tourists is relatively straightforward. On the other hand, local residents and expatriates with permanent residency status are only required to register once, with a more detailed process involved. When purchasing a SIM card, it is important to consider the quality of coverage in the area where you will be using it. Different service providers may offer better coverage depending on your location. It is advisable to seek advice from locals, as they are likely to have valuable insights on which service works best in the area. For those with dual SIM phones, a practical approach is to obtain a SIM card from Globe and another from a PLDT brand such as Smart or Sun. These options are cost-effective, allowing you to load a small amount, such as ₱20 or ₱50 pesos (less than $1 US), on each SIM card. This way, you can ensure that you have coverage options wherever you go.
Phone Number Conventions
I have not encountered an analog phone since my arrival here, except for one instance at Mactan Airport in Cebu many years ago. Therefore, I am unsure if they are still in use. However, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phones are prevalent and are typically included in most fiber internet plans offered by major telecommunications companies, making them a common feature in many households.Additionally, all cellular companies in the Philippines utilize a prefix code system for their phone numbers, which are outlined below. Here are the numbering conventions commonly used in the country:
| International Calls | +63 (123) 456-7890 | International area code for the Philippines is: +63 |
| Domestic Calls | 0 (123) 456-7890 | Country code (+63) is omitted and a trunk prefix (0) is placed instead |
| Local Area Calls | (123) 456-7890 | Both the 0 and area code are omitted |
| Mobile Calls | +63 (123) 456-7890 or 0 (123) 456-7890 | Most users simply use the mobile number prefix of 0 |
Cellular Prefixes by Company
Understanding mobile network prefixes is essential for identifying the specific mobile network you are attempting to contact. When making calls from one cellular network to another, there is typically an additional charge involved. However, calling within the same network is usually free of charge. Therefore, it is advantageous to be aware of the network you are dialing. This can be achieved by recognizing the prefix of the phone number. In the Philippines, a mobile number consists of 11 digits, such as 0976 313-1812. The first four digits, like "0976" in this example, represent the "mobile number prefix" that indicates the mobile network. Here is the most up-to-date list of mobile network prefixes:
| DITO | GLOBE | TOUCH | SMART | SUN | T n' T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0895 | 0817 | 0817 | 0813 | 0922 | 0813 |
| 0896 | 0904 | 0904 | 0907 | 0923 | 0907 |
| 0897 | 0905 | 0905 | 0908 | 0924 | 0908 |
| 0898 | 0906 | 0906 | 0909 | 0924 | 0909 |
| 0991 | 0915 | 0915 | 0910 | 0931 | 0910 |
| 0992 | 0916 | 0916 | 0911 | 0932 | 0911 |
| 0993 | 0917 | 0917 | 0912 | 0933 | 0912 |
| 0994 | 0926 | 0926 | 0913 | 0934 | 0913 |
| 0927 | 0927 | 0914 | 0940 | 0914 | |
| 0935 | 0935 | 0918 | 0941 | 0918 | |
| 0936 | 0936 | 0919 | 0942 | 0919 | |
| 0937 | 0945 | 0920 | 0943 | 0920 | |
| 0945 | 0953 | 0921 | 0944 | 0921 | |
| 0953 | 0954 | 0928 | 0973 | 0928 | |
| 0954 | 0955 | 0929 | 0974 | 0929 | |
| 0955 | 0956 | 0930 | 0930 | ||
| 0956 | 0965 | 0938 | 0938 | ||
| 0965 | 0966 | 0939 | 0939 | ||
| 0966 | 0967 | 0946 | 0946 | ||
| 0967 | 0975 | 0947 | 0947 | ||
| 0975 | 0976 | 0948 | 0948 | ||
| 0976 | 0977 | 0949 | 0949 | ||
| 0977 | 0978 | 0950 | 0950 | ||
| 0978 | 0979 | 0951 | 0951 | ||
| 0979 | 0994 | 0961 | 0961 | ||
| 0994 | 0995 | 0963 | 0963 | ||
| 0995 | 0996 | 0968 | 0970 | ||
| 0996 | 0997 | 0970 | 0981 | ||
| 0997 | 0981 | 0989 | |||
| 0989 | 0992 | ||||
| 0992 | 0998 | ||||
| 0998 | 0999 | ||||
| 0999 |