Over 2K subscribers switched networks while keeping same mobile numbers —group

Over 2,000 mobile subscribers have switched networks while keeping their mobile numbers a month after the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) was formally launched, Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI) said Wednesday.

TCI is the joint venture firm formed by three of the country’s major mobile network service providers - Globe, Smart, and DITO Telecommunity - to implement MNP, which was officially launched on September 30, 2021.

Under the MNP, subscribers can keep their mobile numbers even when they transfer to another service provider, or when they switch their subscription from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa.

The law mandates all public telecommunications entities to provide prepaid and postpaid subscribers the option to keep their mobile phone numbers free of charge, as long as the subscriber has no outstanding financial obligation.

“A total of over 2000 porting applications were received. To date, close to 2000 have successfully ported, while others are in progress,” TCI general manager Melanie Manuel told GMA News Online.

In a separate statement, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro said that “MNP is a failure.”

To recall, TCI is expecting at least one million subscribers to avail of porting services at the initial stage of the MNP’s implementation. 

Sought to comment, Manuel said, “It may be premature to say it is a failure, because it’s only been a month (in fact, barely a month).”

The TCI general manager said that the company is still observing the uptake of the porting application “as it is too premature to come up with a conclusion.”

Citing industry estimates, she said it usually takes at least three months for MNP to stabilize and establish a trend.

“As mentioned previously, we anticipated hiccups and birth pains, and the MSPs are working together to make the porting experience more convenient for the customers,” Manuel said.

Castro said the MNP’s “seeming failure” to excite and encourage users to switch networks were attributed to the late adoption of MNP in the Philippines in light of shift to data usage where a slew of voice and  applications such as Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber Telegram, Line, IMO rendered MNP irrelevant.

Many Filipinos also have dual SIMs which they want to keep to avoid extra charges for calling outside another network (prior to MNP) and avail  of promos  not offered by in one network, the lawmaker added.

The Philippines is comprised mostly of prepaid customers. Prepaid SIMS are very affordable and very easy to change. The novelty of changing providers is long gone as a number of customers have already experienced switching providers.

Despite the low take-up of subscribers availing of MNP, Manuel said, “TCI would like to reassure the public that it will remain true to its mandate of providing the power of choice to the Filipino people, in choosing the subscription plan and/or the mobile service provider that suits their needs.”

“TCI and the MSPs (mobile service providers) shall endeavor to make the porting experience seamless and more convenient moving forward,” she added.

Companies that violate the provisions of RA 11202 may face fines ranging from P10,000 up to P1 million as well as cancellation of the operating franchise. A subscriber can also receive damages but not exceeding P40,000.—LDF, GMA News