OPINIONS,
TECHNOLOGY | February 27, 2019
 |
| (Image Source; Yugatech) |
In
a move that literally surprised a lot of Filipino tech addicts and smartphone users
alike and has been reported publicly on traditional and digital platforms,
Philippine president Rodrigo R. Duterte has officially signed into law the
Mobile Number Portability Act of 2019 which allows mobile device owners to keep
and retain their own phone number regardless of the service provider they
trust. It was a bold move that is sure to benefit Filipino mobile subscribers
who wish to keep their own mobile numbers intact while considering their move
to switch to another telco.
Since
the adoption and inception of mobile phones and modern telecommunications
services in the Philippines prior to the beginning of the new millennium, many who
have owned their mobile devices regardless of what service provider they are
using are considering alternative options to provide further communication to
their business clients and loved ones without anything that could hinder their
moves. Among these hindrances are their difficulty of switching to another
service provider with the cost of disregarding one's preferred mobile phone
number and changing to a new one. This is where the Mobile Number Portability
Act comes into play now that it is now a legitimate Philippine law.
Through
the Mobile Number Portability Act of 2019, mobile device users are allowed to
retain their own phone number whenever they want to switch to another
telecommunications service. This could eventually lead to better accessibility
and convenience for those who are planning to make the switch without the need
to change their own phone number. They are also allowed to keep it whenever
they need to change their subscription from postpaid to prepaid and vice versa.
This would simply mean that one's preferred mobile number will become their forever
whatever they do.
