Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, two of the biggest telcos in the Philippines, as well as the new player, Dito Telecommunity, has signed a deal to implement the new Mobile Number Portability Act.
Under the Republic Act 11202 or the Mobile Number Portability Act, Filipinos can now keep their phone numbers forever. This means that you can now use the same number even if you switch between the three networks, or go from being a postpaid to a prepaid subscriber and vice versa.
The joint venture between the three Filipino telcos was signed together with the Syniverse. The American company focuses on the technology used by telecommunications for handling phone numbers. They will provide the infrastructure required for this project to happen.
All three companies aim to complete the integration in 18 months. In theory, this timeline is impressive. As per Globe, markets who have implemented this permanent number scheme took them about 24 to 27 months.
See also: NOW Telecom aims for 4th telco spot, partners with Singaporean firm
Customers will get this change for free. This is why Globe, Smart, and Dito will equally share all of the costs that will incur in purchasing the required hardware and software for this project.
This is just one of the improvements that we expect to see on the local internet and telecom scene in the Philippines.