THE lack of public interest in the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Act makes the new law akin to a prescription for the wrong ailment and should prod government to focus on more fundamental improvements in the country’s digital infrastructure and broadband services, according to an independent consumer advocacy group.
Just over 1,000 of more than 100 million subscribers — or 0.001 percent — have switched to new networks during the first month of the MNP, according to Melanie Manuel, head of Telecommunications Connectivity, Inc., a joint-venture company composed of all telcos created for the purpose of operationalizing the law.
“Despite the hype, MNP does not appear to be the game changer that it is purported to be,” said professor Louie Montemar, convenor of Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3).
“MNP seems like a nice option to have but one thousand out of over 100 million mobile subscribers shows only insignificant market acceptance.
“The government should instead focus on improving the country’s digital infrastructure so that the quality of internet connection will be seamless and uniform across the country,” Montemar said.
The Mobile Number Portability Law has been touted as a milestone of the National Telecommunications Commission to enable dissatisfied telecom customers to switch service providers while retaining their numbers, which they may have been using for a long time.
NTC expected enthusiasm from the public when the law became effective last September 30, but the first month was instead marred with lack of interest among subscribers and friction among the telecom players that had some quarters calling for a probe.
Montemar said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the public’s need for the internet to perform their day-to-day transactions, from remote working or studying, to online banking and shopping, to health consultations, to connecting with friends and family.
Montemar said that the late adoption of MNP in the Philippines is responsible for the public’s anemic interest in it.
“Long before this law was passed, many Filipinos have had dual SIMs for several reasons,” he said. “They want a backup for when their main provider encounters problems. They want to avoid extra charges for calling a number from another network. They want to avail themselves of promotions that are not offered by one network.
