PHL telcos tap Syniverse as clearinghouse for mobile number portability law

Lifetime mobile phone numbers are now one step closer into being implemented, as Philippine telecommunications companies have tapped Florida-headquartered Syniverse Technologies as the mobile number portability service provider (MNPSP).

In an emailed statement, Globe Telecom Inc. said that it, along with PLDT Inc. mobile subsidiary Smart Communications and third player Dito Telecommunity Corp., chose Syniverse 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 ensuring smooth implementation of number porting services," the statement read.

President Rodrigo Duterte in February signed into law the Mobile Number Portability Act (MNP), which allows mobile network subscribers to retain their numbers for life despite switching subscription plans or between telecom service providers.

The implementing rules and regulation (IRR) of the measure mandated that mobile service providers comply with the provisions of the law and set up a mechanism for this by July 2, 2019.

In June, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said applications for lifetime mobile phone numbers could start by January next year.

"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," said Paul Hodges, senior vice president of sales at Syniverse said.

As MNPSP, Syniverse is tasked to serve as the clearinghouse for the three mobile operators to ensure the smooth implementation of number porting services.

The telcos will equally share the capital expenditure for the software, hardware, and other facilities required by the MNPSP, but the operating and maintenance costs will have to first be agreed upon.

According to Globe, experience in other countries indicated that the complete implementation of the MNP is 27 months from the regulator's issuance of the IRR.

Based on this timeline, the complete implementation is estimated in October 2021, after the IRR was issued in July this year.

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

For its part, PLDT-Smart said that while steps have already been taken, more work still has to be done.

"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," said PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president Alfredo Panlilio.

"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," he added.

His sentiments were mirrored by Globe chief technology and information officer and chief strategy officer Gil Genio.

"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," he said.

"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," elaborated Genio. — RSJ, GMA News