Bill filed to allow cell phone users to keep their numbers

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. has filed a bill that would allow cell phone users in the country to keep their phone numbers even when they switch carriers or plans.

Villar said this kind of feature has already become available in some parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and most European countries, leaving the Philippines behind these countries “who opt to provide convenience and quality telephone service to consumers.”

“Parallel to the booming communication technology is the policy of the state to ensure that quality mobile telephone service is provided to consumers in the country. Inevitable to this policy is the option to provide consumers choice in telecommunications service,” he said.

Under Senate Bill 2864, Villar said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should require all mobile telephone carriers or companies to provide consumers the option to retain their mobile phone numbers.

This mobile telephone number portability would be offered as an option to the subscriber if he switches from one service provider to another or from a postpaid to a prepaid account and vice versa.

The bill states that the option would be offered only if the subscriber has no existing liability or outstanding obligations with his original service provider.

Villar noted that developments in technology over the years have boosted dependency on mobile phones in dealing with everyday life and it becomes imperative that the government ensure the best service to consumers.

“Mobile phone subscribers have grown by almost 80 million by 2010. This remarkable number of mobile telephone consumers or subscribers valuing the cost of telephone service is inclined to avail of telephone services that will cater most to their needs as valuable consumers,” he said.

“Unfortunately, consumers opting to have better quality of telephone service are often deterred by the burden of changing their number by reason of switching from one service provider with miserable service to a service provider with superior service or by reason of switching from a mobile postpaid account to a mobile prepaid account and vice versa,” he added.

Villar said the provision of this service to consumers will sustain competition among service providers and ultimately, promote improvement in the quality of mobile telephone service.