DICT: Mobile portability service to start next year
Credit to Author: LISBET K. ESMAEL| Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:53:22 +0000
TELCO subscribers may start applying for mobile number portability in January, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced on Wednesday.
According to Acting Information Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., mobile-service providers have asked the government for a six-month adjustment period to create the platform and software needed to allow their subscribers to keep their numbers permanently.
“Six months ang hinihingi nila (is all they ask), which is quite reasonable. The first transfer will be six months from now,” Rio said.
This comes after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued on Monday Memorandum Circular 03-06-2019 on the “Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act 11202” or the Mobile Number Portability Act, to be promulgated on July 2.
The circular seeks to provide subscribers with “easy and expedient mobile phone/device usage,” where prepaid or postpaid subscribers could transfer from one service provider to another, or change the type of subscription without changing digits.
The DICT acting chief believes that, as the circular is being implemented, major telecommunications companies would be even forced to improve their services, as subscribers would experience hassle-free process in keeping their mobile numbers.
To qualify for the mobile portability service, the subscriber must have no outstanding financial obligation with the mobile service provider (MSP) and is the assignee of the number used in a device that is not locked to any MSP. Also, 60 calendar days must have lapsed from the date of that number’s activation.
The subscriber must also have no pending request for transfer of assignment of that number, is not prohibited by a court from porting that number, and is not blacklisted by a provider due to fraudulent activities.
The subscriber may send his or her request for mobile portability service and ask for a nine-digit unique subscriber code, and submit his or her application to the provider in person or online or through SMS via a five-digit access code.
The provider must then inform the subscriber if he or she is qualified for the service. If he or she meets the requirements, the porting process should be done within 48 hours.
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