Phone users will be able to keep their mobile numbers permanently even when they change network providers starting Sept. 30, the country’s dominant mobile network operators said on Friday.
In a joint statement, Smart Communications, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., and DITO Telecommunity Corp. said that they recently conducted the initial tests of their technical capabilities and interoperability.
“The joint effort will soon allow customers the option to keep their mobile numbers permanently, even when they change network providers or switch subscriptions,” they said.
“After the initial tests yielded positive results, the next steps will be to streamline the external porting process, implement fraud and security safeguards, optimize systems and backend business operations in time for a smoother and faster porting experience for customers by September 30, 2021.”
The Securities and Exchange Commission approved in January last year the creation of the Telecommunications Connectivity, Inc. that would ease the portability of mobile phone numbers.
The new company would enable number porting services in line with the new mobile number portability initiative of the government through Republic Act No. 11202, also known as the Mobile Number Portability Act.
It was jointly put up by the country’s major telecommunications companies.
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