TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONNECTIVITY INC. (TCI)
- What is TCI?
TCI or Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI), is the joint venture company
formed by DITO, Globe and Smart to enable number porting services in compliance
with the Mobile Number Portability law. The TCI is the implementing arm for all
activities between mobile service providers on one hand and the mobile number
portability service provider (or the clearinghouse) on the other.
- Why is there a need to put up a separate joint venture?
A separate entity is required to facilitate decision making and approvals in the
various contracts that will be entered into during the course of the implementation
of mobile number portability. It will be too unwieldy to secure approvals from the 3
operators of any decision or contract that will have to be entered into with third
parties.
- Who is the TCI General Manager?
Melanie A. Manuel has been named as TCI’s Interim General Manager. Manuel is an
Industrial Engineering graduate whose telco work experience includes Domestic
Carrier Relations, International and Domestic Settlements, Settlement Systems, IS
Business Analysis, and Human Resource Management.
- After commercial launch on Sept. 30, would there still be a need for TCI?
TCI will be coterminous with the implementation of mobile number portability. For
as long as the law requires mobile number portability, TCI will continue to exist for
the same reasons it was organized. Note though that TCI will just be on limited
manpower complement.
MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY
- What is MNP?
Mobile Number Portability or MNP, as a global practice enables a mobile phone
customer to keep their number even when they switch networks or change their
subscription from postpaid to prepaid and vice versa. The process itself is free of
charge
- What is the MNP Law?
Republic Act No. 11202, also known as the Mobile Number Portability Act, ensures
that mobile phone users can keep their numbers even when they transfer to
another service provider, or when they switch their subscription from postpaid to
prepaid, or vice-versa.
- What are the benefits of MNP?
MNP helps promote consumer welfare by fostering the freedom to choose and to
respond to quality, price and other relevant considerations without consumers
having to change their mobile numbers whenever they change mobile service
providers or subscription plans. Porting is FREE.
8. How to conduct porting services?
To port within networks, one needs to meet the following requirements:
● An active SIM and the requestor is the assignee of the mobile number to be
ported
● No remaining balance from your previous bill (for postpaid)
● No existing court prohibitions
● No pending transfer of ownership
- When can a customer start porting?
MNP will be commercially available in the Philippines on September 30, 2021.
- Given the pandemic, what challenges did each of the MNOs encounter
during the technical testing phase?
Unlike earlier implementations of MNP, the mobile business has grown in
complexity because of the vast array of service offerings and customization that
are attached to a mobile number, which may not easily be unbundled when
moving to another service provider. The three operators also have different
channels for topping up prepaid loads and differ in systems which greatly affect
interoperability.
- How much did the MNOs invest in this venture?
The operators invested a total of Php 120 Million, so far. It is expected, however,
that they will spend more because under the Mobile Number Portability law, the
service is free of charge for the customer.
SYNIVERSE
- What is Syniverse?
Syniverse was chosen by the Philippine mobile operators through a technical and
commercial evaluation system to be the mobile number portability service provider
(MNPSP). The company will bring in the technical infrastructure to fulfill its primary
function as clearing house for the three telcos and ensuring smooth
implementation of number porting services.
Quote from Atty. Adel Tamano
Treasurer, Telecommunications Connectivity Inc.
Chief Administrative Officer, DITO Telecommunity
The entire telco industry and the Philippine government are pushing forward with the same goal of providing Filipinos with better telco services. Aside from encouraging healthier competition amongst the players, MNP also grants Filipinos the freedom to switch to their preferred mobile service provider seamlessly and conveniently.. Na walang alinlangan.
Quote from Atty. Froilan Castelo
Chairman, Telecommunications Connectivity Inc.
General Counsel, Globe Group of Companies
Mobile Number Portability is a complex process not only do we need to adopt it into our system but we need to integrate it with the networks of our competitors. MNP involves close coordination with the other telcos to build the system and how the system will react to provide that good customer service. It took us 22 months to build MNP, upgrade the system, integrate with the MNP service provider, and do testing with the other telcos. We also studied how other countries implemented mobile number portability, and how we can adopt that in the Philippines. We also need to consider the pandemic situation and how we will adapt under such circumstances. We have involved the best people in our organizations in this project. A lot of brainstorming happened, testing and developing all possible scenarios that can happen in MNP and finally after 22 months we can say we are now ready to provide Mobile Number Portability in the Philippines.
Quote from Mario Tamayo
President, Telecommunications Connectivity Inc.
SVP and Head of Technology, PLDT and Smart
We want to make sure that we can give the best solutions and services to the Filipino people. Gusto natin pagaanin ang buhay at pasimplehan ang proseso para sa bawat telco subscriber by giving them the power of choice. Through mobile number portability, we are empowering our customers to pursue their passions and purpose. Ang DITO, Globe at Smart ay katuwang ng ating gobyerno upang palakasin ang telco industry sa Pilipinas.
