Telcos agree to mobile portability

The portability agreement makes it possible for subscribers to own a mobile number and change telcos without much fuss.

In line with the so-called new mobile number portability initiative of the government, mobile operator Globe, new player Dito Telecommunity and PLDT subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. forged a partnership to set up a new company that would enable number porting services.

In a disclosure to the stocks exchange on Thursday, the telco firms said they chose Syniverse as the mobile number portability service provider (MNPSP).

The company is expected to bring in the technical infrastructure to fulfill its primary function as clearinghouse for the three mobile operators to ensure the smooth implementation of number porting services.

Mobile number portability refers to the ability of a mobile postpaid or prepaid subscriber, who has no existing financial obligation to the current service provider, to retain an existing mobile number.

This is despite having moved from one mobile service provider to another, or change the subscription type from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa.

Under the implementing Rules and Regulations of the MNP Act, the mobile operators will equally share the capital expenditure for the software, hardware and other facilities required by the MNPSP.

However, the sharing of operating and maintenance costs shall be agreed upon by the mobile operators and the MNPSP.

As MNPSP, Syniverse is likewise expected to fulfill all functions outlined in the implementing rules and regulations under the NTC Memorandum Circular 03-06-2019 issued in July this year.

With the initial step of setting up the support mechanisms, the actual implementation of MNP will be contingent on the completion of integration and interoperability tests of the clearinghouse facilities with the separate multi-vendor systems of the mobile operators.

Based on experience in other countries where customers are charged for porting fees, the average period for completing the implementation of MNP is 27 months from the regulator’s issuance of the IRR.

For the Philippine market, Syniverse estimates the period of integration and interoperability to be no later than 18 months from setting up of the support mechanism.

ln addition, porting services shall be free of charge to the customers.

According to Alfredo S. Panlilio, Chief Revenue Officer of PLDT and Smart, and President of Smart, the companies have already geared up to put in place a seamless and efficient process for their existing and would-be customers who would like to avail of this service in the future.

Meanwhile, Globe Chief Technology and information Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Gil B. Genio said they wanted to make sure the MNPSP has the experience and capacity to fulfill its obligations under the law.

“Our utmost priority is to ensure that they of our customers is seamless and of utmost convenience should they decide to port their numbers. We are one with the government in having our customers enjoy global mobile practices,” Genio said.

Through the MNP Act, mobile phone users can keep their mobile numbers even when they transfer to another service provider, or when they switch their subscription from postpaid to prepaid, or vice-versa.