Smart Communications Inc. yesterday urged the telecom regulator, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), to look into Globe Telecom Inc.’s failure to take part in the commercial launch of the mobile number portability (MNP) last month.
Smart has referenced a Globe advisory sent to its customers a day before the MNP’s launch on September 30 that MNP for GOMO will be available by October 2021 due to unavoidable technical issues.
In a letter submitted to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, Kenneth Regañon, Smart regulatory affairs manager, asked the regulator to clarify the issue why Globe’s GOMO did not comply with the commercial operation of the MNP.
“The MNP Act applies to all MSPs (mobile service providers) without exception and GOMO subscribers can demand from Globe a seamless network switch starting September 30, and yet Globe has just issued an advisory denying GOMO subscribers precisely this right. We do not believe that Globe is above the law, that is why we are asking the Commission’s clarification on this issue,” said Regañon.
GOMO is described in its SIM terms and conditions as an MSP operated by Globe. According to Republic Act 11202, or the MNP Act, all MSPs are obligated to provide nationwide MNP to all qualified subscribers.
The MNP Act gives all GOMO subscribers the right and guaranty that by September 30, they can switch to a preferred network like Smart seamlessly and without the hassle of changing their mobile phone numbers, Smart said.
Section 9.4 of NTC Memorandum Circular 03-06-2019 Implementing Rules and Regulation provides that the donor provider shall not impose conditions and procedures for completion of the porting application which have the effect of serving as a disincentive or deterrent against moving to different mobile service providers, Smart added.
MSPs commercially launched the MNP last September 30, allowing qualified subscribers to switch to their preferred network seamlessly within 48 hours and retain their mobile numbers. – Myla Iglesias
