Telcos join forces for mobile portability services

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s three major mobile operators are joining forces and have tapped global technology service provider Syniverse to enable mobile portability services.

PLDT subsidiary Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and new player Dito Telecommunity yesterday announced a team up to put up a new company using fresh investments to enable number porting services in line with the new mobile number portability initiative of the government.

The development, they said, is an important first step toward the full implementation of Republic Act 11202, also known as the Mobile Number Portability Act.

The joint venture entity, which is already in the process of incorporation, is required because all mobile operators have to put in their respective investments into the company. 

“We’ve taken the key steps forward, but there’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of technical preparations.  We at PLDT and Smart have geared up for this. We are taking steps to put in place a seamless and efficient process for our existing and would-be customers who would like to avail of this service in the future,” Smart president Alfredo Panlilio said.

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

“Our utmost priority is to ensure that the experience 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,” Globe chief technology and information officer and chief strategy officer Gil Genio said.

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

To ensure the smooth implementation of number porting services, the three mobile operators have selected Syniverse to be the mobile number portability service provider (MNPSP) following a rigorous technical and commercial evaluation process.

Memorandum Circular 03-06-2019, which took effect last July requires having one MNPSP that will provide mobile number porting services for the country’s mobile service providers. 

The MNPSP must have the same rates, fees, and access for porting services for all participating mobile service providers.

“Given the technical and operational complexity of mobile number portability, we wanted to make sure the MNPSP has the experience and capacity to fulfill its obligations under the law,” Genio said.