Senator Win Gatchalian lauded the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for drafting a “consumer-friendly” implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Mobile Number Portability Act (MNPA).
Gatchalian particularly noted that the IRR of the new law, which allows mobile phone users to retain their numbers for life even when they switch service providers, has specified the prerequisites for porting, and the terms of the time periods for cutover and the porting process itself.
“We thank the NTC for the speedy issuance of the MNPA’s IRR. With this, mobile number portability is finally within the reach of every Filipino,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker, however, said it would have been a “major win” for consumers had there been fewer grounds to reject applications for mobile number portability.
“It would have been a major win for consumers had there been fewer grounds to reject applications.”
“After all, we want to encourage consumers to avail this service, especially when they feel they are not getting the service they deserve from their respective networks,” the senator said.
The NTC clarified that while the order takes effect on July 2, telecommunications companies (telcos) are given six months after the date of effectivity to implement the IRR.
“The order takes effect on July 2.”
Under the new rules, subscribers applying for mobile number portability must have the following qualifications:
- no outstanding financial obligation with the donor provider;
- mobile number used in a device is not locked to any mobile service provider;
- 60 calendar days must have elapsed from the date of activation of the ported number;
- no pending request for transfer of assignment of the mobile number;
- no order from a court of law stopping the mobile number porting;
- not blacklisted by a service provider due to previous fraudulent activities.
Postpaid and prepaid subscribers within the same mobile network may avail mobile number portability and shall be changed within 24 hours upon submission and acceptance of the application and subject to existing policies of the mobile service provider.
No fees and charges shall be collected from the applicants for mobile number portability. No interconnection fee or charge shall also be imposed by any mobile service providers for domestic calls and SMS made by a subscriber.