Globe, Smart, Dito form joint venture to enable mobile portability services

The country’s major mobile operators, Globe Telecom, PLDT subsidiary Smart Communications, and Dito Telecommunity, have formed a joint venture using fresh investments to enable the new mobile number portability initiative of the government.

The venture is an important first step towards the implementation of the full implementation of the Republic Act 11202 also known as the “Mobile Number Portability Act” (“the MNP Act”) which was signed into law this year.

Mobile Number Portability refers to the ability of a mobile postpaid or prepaid subscriber, who has no existing financial obligation to the current service provider, to retain an existing mobile number despite having moved from one mobile service provider to another, or to change the type subscription from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa.

The mobile operators also chose Syniverse, a global company that provides technology and business services for telecommunications companies, and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, U.S., to be the mobile number portability service provider (MNPSP).

The company is expected to bring in the technical infrastructure to fulfill its primary function as a clearinghouse for the three mobile operators to ensure the smooth implementation of number porting services.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the MNP Act, the mobile operators will equally share the capital expenditure for the software, hardware and other facilities required by the MNPSP. However, the sharing of operating and maintenance costs shall be agreed upon by the mobile operators and the MNPSP.