Three telco firms form new company to implement number portability

December 26, 2019

Mobile phone operators Globe, new player Dito Telecommunity and Smart Communications have formed a new company to implement number portability services in the Philippines. 

The creation of a new company is an an important first step towards the full implementation of Republic Act 11202 also known as the "Mobile Number Portability Act ( MNP Act).

The three mobile operators tapped US-based Syniverse to be the mobile number portability service provider after rigorous evaluation.

The company is expected to bring in the technical infrastructure to fulfill its primary function as clearinghouse for the three mobile operators to 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. 

However, the sharing of operating and maintenance costs shall be agreed upon by the mobile operators and the MNPSP.

As 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 this 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. 

For the Philippine market, Syniverse estimates the period of integration and interoperability to be no later than 18 months from setting up of the support mechanism. Porting services shall be free of charge to the customers. DMS