Lifetime cellphone number bill clears bicam hurdle
MANILA, Philippines — The bill seeking to allow telco subscribers to keep their mobile numbers for life has hurdled a bicameral conference committee.
The Mobile Number Portability bill allows one's mobile number to be retained even if the owner switches to another network provider or changes subscription from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa.
In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the measure would help consumers who are planning to move to the upcoming third telco provider with ease by allowing them to keep their cellphone numbers.
Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and author of the bill, also said the National Telecommunications Commission will be given “ample time” to craft the bill’s implementing rules and regulations once the measure is enacted into law.
“The problem with the third telco, even though he comes in, mahihirapan siyang kumuha ng customers dahil ang dalawang telco natin ay talagang hawak na nila ang customers nila. Ang mga customers na gustong lumipat, nagiging abala para sa kanila na magpalit ng telephone number at mag text ng bagong number nila kapag lilipat sila,” the lawmaker said.
(The problem with third telco, even though [it] comes in, it will have a hard time capturing customers because incumbents hold the majority of subscribers. Those customers who want to switch their service provider, they still have to experience the hassle of changing their telephone number.)
“With this law, there is freedom of movement,” he added.
China Telecom's consortium with Dennis Uy-led Udenna Corp. emerged as the provisional third telco carrier in the Philippines, likely putting an end to the country's long-standing duopoly market.
The search for a new major service provider came at the order of President Rodrigo Duterte. Incumbents PLDT and Globe have said they welcome the new challenger. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
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