The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said that fewer than 100,000 mobile users, or only 0.10 percent of subscribers, have availed of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service since its launch in September 2021, falling far short of expectations and international benchmarks.
In its recent assessment, the PCC attributed the weak turnout primarily to low public awareness, with only five percent of surveyed consumers indicating familiarity with the MNP Act. This underperformance has significant corporate and commercial implications, particularly for the joint venture Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI), which oversees the technical infrastructure enabling seamless switching between mobile service providers (MSPs) without number changes. All three telecom companies Globe, Smart and DITO are members of the joint venture.
Despite the low uptake, the PCC said that the MNP framework remains a vital tool for fostering consumer choice and enhancing market competition. However, it called for a reassessment of the current agreement between TCI and its technology partner, citing the high cost of maintaining underutilized system capacity.
TCI acknowledged the awareness gap and expressed willingness to relaunch the MNP service with refreshed marketing efforts. The company also confirmed ongoing talks to renegotiate its contract for improved integration, lower costs, and better service delivery.
The PCC reaffirmed its support for the competition policy through continuous advocacy and research, noting that the MNP case will inform future efforts to enhance regulatory impact across sectors.
