Mobile Number Portability Act

#InTheKnow Have you heard of Republic Act 11202 or the Mobile Number Portability Act?

Under RA 11202, consumers will get to KEEP THEIR MOBILE NUMBER even if they switch service providers or change their subscription from postpaid to prepaid, and vice versa. pic.twitter.com/q857gX8op3

— Bureau of Communications Services PH (@bcs_gov) June 6, 2019

Earlier this year, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said that the nation’s Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Act, or RA 11202, will be rolled out by Sept. 30. Under the MNP Act, everyone has the option to switch network providers while sticking to their old numbers. Whether you’re sentimental or you want to avoid the hassle of contacting everyone to share your new digits, mobile network portability is a great option.

The MNP Act is a joint effort by providers Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and the new Dito Telecommunity. Global firm Syniverse will be handling the processing of MNP services as well as provide software and technical infrastructure.

What’s so good about mobile network portability?

Say you want to switch from Globe to Smart in search of a better provider, you won’t have to bug all your contacts with a group message saying “Please save my new number.” You also get to shrug off the FOMO on messages you’ll never read sent by those who didn’t know you changed numbers. If you’ve only got one number from here on out, you’ll never miss out.

Another advantage to MNP is that you get to avoid the hassle of changing your number in banks, government documents, apps, and other important transactions. You just changed networks, the rest stays the same.

But maybe the best perk to MNP is the freedom it gives you to choose the best mobile network provider or subscription plan for your needs.

What types of mobile porting can be done?

MNP will let you switch from network to network and even from postpaid to prepaid and vice versa. But that is provided that your number has a clean record with bills completely paid. Your number should also be active and isn’t blacklisted or associated with any fraudulent activity.

You can switch networks as many times as you want but you can’t switch again if you applied for the MNP within the last 60 days. So if you want to return to your old network or transfer to another, you’d have to wait for approximately two months.

How can you apply for mobile network portability?

Applying for MNP is as easy as three steps:

1. Visit your current network provider’s website and get your Unique Subscriber Code (USC)
2. Give the code to the network you want to sign up for
3. Wait for your new SIM card with the same number

Local telco providers say there is only a 48-hour processing time for your new SIM card to be ready. That fast, that easy.

What are the requirements?

Porting into another network doesn’t have too many requirements. Don’t worry, it’s a stress-free journey. You’ll only have to obtain your 9-digit USC from your current network provider. That serves as your clearance that you don’t have financial obligations and that you’re leaving behind a clean account. You also might be asked for a government-issued ID and proof of mobile and mobile number ownership.

How much will it cost you?

Even better news: it’s free! You won’t have to pay a single thing to jump networks. The network you’re “porting to” will shoulder the cost of the transfer no matter how many times you do it. The minute you don’t want your network, you can just switch to another.

SIM card registration bill

With the MNP Act now underway, Senators are also discussing several bills filed on SIM card registration. These aim to curb criminal activity such as scams, something that is still prevalent in this time and age. With the proposed bill, the registered info of the perpetrators can be tracked down through the number they use.

However, Globe policy division head Ariel Tubayan said that it might be a tall feat right now. There are more SIM card registrants than voters. “If the Comelec (Commission on Elections) is having a hard time having voters register, what more with the prepaid SIM card registration?” she said. So we’re not expecting SIM card registration to be a law anytime soon.

Load forever?

If we can now switch networks, it’s about time our mobile load didn’t expire too. Fret not, the Prepaid Load Forever Act has been proposed to the Senate. Government officials recognize how this would greatly benefit students and entrepreneurs in the middle of the pandemic. Senator Grace Poe said that a technical working group is currently discussing removing the expiration date for the prepaid load. But, like the SIM card registration bill, that might take a while to be passed as law.

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