Globe Telecom Inc. said Thursday it will start implementing the mobile number portability by the third quarter of the year, allowing subscribers to keep their mobile phone number for life and lifting interconnection fees for domestic calls and texts.
Globe said the move was in compliance with Republic Act 11202, or the Mobile Number Portability Act, which allows consumers to keep their mobile number even if they switch service providers or change their subscription from postpaid to prepaid free of charge.
“What we are doing in the Philippines is we are setting up the clearinghouse. That’s being set up by Globe, PLDT and DITO. So the three of us are investing, and we will set it up,” Globe chief commercial officer Alberto de Larrazabal said.
“We will be ready in time for when the clearinghouse will be operational by third quarter,” he said.
Globe, PLDT and DITO Telecommunity earlier formed a new company called Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. for the implementation of the mobile number portability.
The three companies tapped Syniverse, the world’s most connected company to be the mobile number portability service provider. It will bring in the technical infrastructure to fulfill its primary function as clearinghouse for the telcos and ensure the smooth implementation of number porting services.
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.
The sharing of operating and maintenance costs will be agreed upon by the mobile operators and the MNPSP.
Syniverse is expected to fulfill all functions outlined in the implementing rules and regulations under the NTC Memorandum Circular 03-06-2019 issued in July last year.
With the initial step of setting up the support mechanisms, the actual implementation of MNP will be contingent upon 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.
Syniverse estimates the period of integration and interoperability in the Philippines to be no later than 18 months from setting up of the support mechanism. Porting services will be free of charge to the customers.
