The country’s major mobile operators Globe Telecom Inc., new player Dito Telecommunity and PLDT Inc. unit Smart Communications Inc. have formed a new company to implement number portability services in the Philippines.
The creation of a new company is an an important first step toward the full implementation of Republic Act 11202 also known as the “Mobile Number Portability Act (MNP Act).
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.
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 his mobile number despite moving from one mobile service provider to another, or to change the type subscription from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa.
The three mobile operators tapped US-based Syniverse to be the mobile number portability service provider after a rigorous technical and commercial evaluation process.
The company will bring in the technical infrastructure to fulfill its primary function as clearinghouse for the telcos and ensure smooth implementation of number porting services.
“For more than 30 years, Syniverse has been the trusted spine of mobile communications by delivering the industry-leading innovations in software and services that now connect more than seven billion devices globally and process more than $35 billion in mobile transactions each year,” said Paul Hodges, Syniverse senior vice president of sales.
“With recognition by the Philippine mobile operators, we are confident that the Mobile Number Portability project will be another key milestone marked in mobile services in the Philippines,” he added.
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.
Under the implementing rules and regulations of the MNP Act, 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 will be agreed upon by the mobile operators and the MNPSP.
