Republic Act No. 11202 will start to take effect on September 30, 2021. This means you can change your mobile network without even changing your number.
The National Telecommunications Commission or NTC said that the Mobile Portability Act or Republic Act No. 11202 will be fully implemented by telecommunication companies on September 30, 2021.
Big Telco companies like Smart Communications and Globe Telecom together with new player Dito Telecommunity had agreed and formed the consortium, Telecommunications Connectivity, Inc, to implement the new law.
Under Republic Act No. 11202 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2019, mobile subscribers can keep their numbers even if they wish to transfer to a different network. The law also covers mobile users who wish to go from prepaid to postpaid or vice versa.
In the copy of RA 11202 uploaded in the Official Gazette, it states that porting process should not take more than forty-eight (48) hours, whether it is moving to another service provider or changing from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa. After receipt of the new network, a mobile number should appear in the new network within twenty-four (24) hours.
Though the process seems simple, any accounts or numbers that have outstanding financial obligations need clearance from the old network in order to transfer to other networks.
Also under this law, telecommunications company are not allowed to lock-in mobile devices within respective network whether the device is sold as is or with a service contract.
Subscribers can retain numbers and jump into another network without having to pay anything.
