Roll-out of law on lifetime mobile numbers complicated, DICT Usec. Rio admits

Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. on Sunday admitted that the implementation of the law allowing subscribers to keep their mobile numbers for life is more complicated than what was expected.

This is due to the possible privacy and cyber security issues involved.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV, Rio said Republic Act No. 11202, or the Mobile Number Portability Act, should have been in full effect since January 2, or six months after its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have been crafted.

However, it may take a little longer as telcos have yet to come to an agreement as to how the law will be implemented, he added.

According to Rio, the three telcos have to come up with a platform or a "clearing house" which will allow subscribers to permanently have their mobile numbers. The said "clearing house" will act like the interbank network Bancnet, which allows clients of one bank to transact through an ATM of another bank.

"So naghahanap sila ng tugma. Nakita na hindi pala ganoon kadali na maggawa nitong plataporma," Rio said.

"Hindi talaga kaya kasi first time. Ito ay hindi off the shelf kasi e. Ito ay kino-customize sa bansa natin," he added.

Rio said one factor being considered is the fact that around 95% of Filipino mobile users are on prepaid.

He added that there are also privacy and cyber security concerns to be addressed in allowing subscribers to keep their numbers for life.

"Tandaan natin na itong number portability, ibig sabihin lifetime na puwede nating maangkin itong number. In fact, it would be our identity. Kailangan ingatan dahil dito minsan, ginagamit natin 'yung numbers natin para mag-withdraw sa e-commerce, magbayad online," he said.

"Itong plataporma must be very carefully crafted. Ang responsibility nito, gagawin itong clearing house," he added.

Rio said that before being rolled out, the issues being raised regarding the law must be addressed first.

"Maraming issues na lumabas na hindi na-anticipate noong nagkakaroon tayo ng public hearing sa Senate and sa stakeholders' meeting sa paggawa ng IRR," he said.

"Lumalabas ngayon na kailangan talaga ma-establish na kapag ii-implement na natin ito, walang mai-inconvenience," he added. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News