The Philippines’ major mobile network operators (MNOs), DITO, Globe, and Smart Communications, have successfully completed the initial testing of their technical capabilities and interoperability through their joint venture business, Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI), on July 14, 2021.
Customers will soon be able to preserve their mobile numbers even if they move network providers or subscriptions thanks to the collaborative effort.
In light of the ongoing pandemic, the MNOs claimed the initial technical tests went well. Assuming the initial tests are successful, the following steps will be to expedite the external porting process, introduce fraud and security protections, improve systems, and backend business operations by September 30, 2021.
DITO, Globe, and Smart gained initial insights and specifics on how to handle lingering issues and potential obstacles by completing a successful actual porting test before making the service available to all clients.
IN JULY, the NTC pledged that DITO, Globe, and Smart would attain initial technical readiness before the actual interporting demonstration, a crucial milestone in the MNP process.
“As the newest player in the industry, we truly are excited to provide this service to Filipinos wherever they may be. When we entered the industry, it really was to encourage competition and innovation. With the Mobile Number Portability Act, we have broken down barriers and have given the Filipinos the power of convenience to finally switch to their preferred service provider,” said Atty. Adel Tamano, DITO Chief Administrative Officer.
“The initial tests gave us a clearer view of the customer experience when they avail of the MNP, including the experience of customers as they interport to Globe numbers from other networks and vice versa. We learned a lot in the process and we will apply them to make the transition easy and seamless for our customers once the MNP becomes available to all,” said Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe Chief Commercial Officer.
“We are working doubly hard with our counterparts from Globe and DITO to comply with the requirements. This is aligned with our company’s direction: customer-centricity as our True North. We have always been at the forefront of using technology to create better experiences for everyone, and the successful initial tests will help us understand and recalibrate our systems and processes, so we can make the MNP experience simple and easy for our customers. After all, making things simple, using technology, is at the core of the Smart brand promise,” said Jane J. Basas, Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Wireless Business.
Republic Act No. 11202, also known as the Mobile Number Portability Act, ensures that mobile phone users can keep their numbers even when they transfer to another service provider, or when they switch their subscription from postpaid to prepaid, or vice-versa.
