Mobile Operators & SIM Cards in the Philippines

Mobile networks in the Philippines

Mobile lines by operator, as of June 30, 2026 (each company's own count in its filings with the Philippine SEC and Stock Exchange; Globe and DITO publish rounded totals). Sources are listed at the end of the page.

These are the companies' own counts, not regulator data. PLDT, for example, counts a prepaid subscriber as active once the SIM is registered, and as lost only after 180 days without a reload.

Buying a SIM card in the Philippines as a visitor

• Philippine law requires every SIM to be registered before it can be used: SIMs are sold deactivated and are activated only after the user completes registration.
• The registration rule covers eSIMs as well as physical SIMs, including data-only SIMs.
• Foreign nationals register with their full name, nationality, passport number and address in the Philippines.
• Foreign tourists (visitors under Section 9(a) of Commonwealth Act No. 613) must present all of the following: their passport (the bio page and the page showing the current 9(a) visa or entry stamp), proof of their address in the Philippines (a hotel or other accommodation booking, or else an affidavit or letter from the owner of the home where they will stay), and a return ticket or other ticket showing the date and time they leave the Philippines.
• A SIM registered by a tourist is valid for only 30 days and is then automatically deactivated; it can be extended only by presenting an approved visa extension.
• Foreign nationals on other types of visas can get SIMs without the 30-day limit.
• DITO says you must complete the SIM registration yourself; store or travel agency staff can only help you with it.

Before you register, have your passport, proof of where you'll stay (a hotel booking, or a letter from the owner of the home where you'll stay) and your return or onward ticket ready; as a tourist, your SIM stops working after 30 days unless you show an approved visa extension.

Prepaid offer examples

Prices from each operator's own website or announcements, checked on September 29, 2026. Offers change often, so confirm before you buy.

Using your US phone in the Philippines

Whether your US plan covers the Philippines, and at what cost, depends on the plan, so check your carrier's international page before you go. Our guide to using your US phone abroad covers roaming, Wi-Fi calling and bill surprises.

To call Philippines from the US, dial 011 + 63 + the number: see how to call Philippines and the Philippines phone number format.

FAQ

Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in the Philippines?

Foreign nationals register with their full name, nationality, passport number and address in the Philippines. Foreign tourists (visitors under Section 9(a) of Commonwealth Act No. 613) must present all of the following: their passport (the bio page and the page showing the current 9(a) visa or entry stamp), proof of their address in the Philippines (a hotel or other accommodation booking, or else an affidavit or letter from the owner of the home where they will stay), and a return ticket or other ticket showing the date and time they leave the Philippines.

How long does a tourist SIM work in the Philippines?

A SIM registered by a tourist is valid for only 30 days and is then automatically deactivated; it can be extended only by presenting an approved visa extension. Foreign nationals on other types of visas can get SIMs without the 30-day limit.

Do I have to register an eSIM in the Philippines?

Yes. The registration rule covers eSIMs as well as physical SIMs, including data-only SIMs. Philippine law requires every SIM to be registered before it can be used: SIMs are sold deactivated and are activated only after the user completes registration.

Which is the biggest mobile network in the Philippines?

By the companies' own counts at the end of June 2026: Globe reported a mobile subscriber base of around 67.7 million at the end of June 2026. PLDT reported 60,088,208 mobile subscribers at June 30, 2026: 21,737,420 Smart prepaid, 35,947,348 TNT prepaid and 2,403,440 postpaid. DITO had 16.62 million mobile subscribers (prepaid and postpaid) at June 30, 2026, up from 16.17 million at the end of 2025.

Who owns Smart and TNT?

PLDT owns 100% of Smart Communications. PLDT reported 60,088,208 mobile subscribers at June 30, 2026: 21,737,420 Smart prepaid, 35,947,348 TNT prepaid and 2,403,440 postpaid.

Is TM part of Globe?

Globe serves its mobile subscribers through three brands: Globe Postpaid, Globe Prepaid and TM.

Can the store register my SIM for me?

At DITO, no. DITO says you must complete the SIM registration yourself; store or travel agency staff can only help you with it.