Representatives from telecommunication companies (telcos) Globe, Smart and new player Dito Telecommunity had committed to phase in the Mobile Number Portability this year, Sherwin Gatchalian said on Monday. “This means subscribers will be able to switch networks or change subscriptions without losing the mobile numbers they currently use,” said Gatchalian, principal author of the Mobile Number Portability Act (MNPA), better known as the “Lifetime Cellphone Number Act.”Gatchalian recently discussed with representatives from telcos and global technology service provider Syniverse how to expedite the implementation of mobile number portability services in the country. “They should implement the Mobile Number Portability Act, even by phases as long as it will be done within the first six months this year,” he said. Telcos can introduce mobile porting for postpaid subscribers first and the mobile number portability of pre-paid subscribers next, the senator added. Gatchalian said mobile number portability should be available within six months from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), as provided under Section 11 of Republic Act 11202.

Source: Manila Times January 20, 2020 16:22 UTC