f 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'14 
JUL 21 
P 2 :31 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2316 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
NUlMBER 
PORTABILITY 
FOR 
MOBILE 
TELEPHONE 
SERVICE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to provide "portability" in telecommunications wherein mobile 
telephone service providers would offer the option to their mobile telephone 
subscribers to retain their numbers even if they switch to another service provider 
or even if they switch from mobile postpaid account to a mobile prepaid account 
and vice versa. 
Mobile telephone number portability is already available is some parts of Africa, 
Australia, in most European countries and in some parts of Asia. The Philippines 
has yet to adopt a similar option for mobile telephone subscribers which will 
greatly ensure convenience, efficiency and quality telecommunications service. 
This measure was previously filed by Sen. Manny Villar in the 15th Congress. The 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2316 
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'14 
JUL 21 
PZ :31 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
SERVICE 
NUMBER 
PORTABILITY 
FOR 
MOBILE 
TELEPHONE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Mobile Telephone 
2 
Number Portability Alet of 2014"'. 
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4 
5 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. -
It is the policy of the State to ensure and 
6 
promote public interest and convenience in the country. The remarkable growth 
7 
of mobile telephone subscribers connotes telecommunications as an inevitable 
8 
public service needing reasonable regulation to promote the interest of the 
9 
continuously growing consumers or mobile telephone subscribers. 
In view of 
10 
this, the State shall promote consumers' choice in telecommunications service to 
11 
avail of superior services suitable to their needs thereby giving value to the cost 
12 
of the telephone service. 
13 
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15 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
16 
mean: 
17 
18 
(a) Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - refers to an authority 
19 
issued by the Commission to operate a public telecommunications service 
20 
based on the premise that the provision of said service and the 
21 
authorization to do business will promote public interest in a proper and 
22 
suitable manner; 
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24 
(b) Commission -. refers to the National Telecommunications Commission 
25 
(NTC); 
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27 
(c) Franchise - refers to the privilege conferred upon a telecommunications 
28 
entity by Congress authorizing the said entity to engage in a certain type 
29 
of telecommunications service; 
30 
31 
(d) Mobile Telephone Number Portability - refers to the ability to transfer an 
32 . 
existing mobile telephone number assigned by a telephone service 
33 
provider to another service provider; 


1 
(e) Postpaid MobilE, Account -- refers to a model of mobile telephone service 
2 
whereby the customers or subscribers are charged for usage in the prior 
3 
month. It is an account for which customers or subscribers are billed for 
4 
their use of a service provider services on a monthly basis, based on 
5 
either the terms of a contract or on amount of services they have used; 
6 
7 
(f) Prepaid mobile account - refers to a model of mobile telephone service 
8 
whereby customers or subscribers are required to add a certain amount to 
9 
their accounts prior to usage and their maximum usage is limited to the 
10 
amount that is added to the account. It is an account for which credit is 
11 
purchased in advance of service use; 
12 
13 
(g) Provisional Authority -
refers to a temporary authority issued by the 
14 
Commission to operate a public telecommunications service. 
15 
16 
17 
SEC. 5. Mobile Telephone Number Portability. - The Commission shall require 
18 
all mobile telephone service providers to provide consumers or mobile telephone 
19 
subscribers the option to retain their numbers in the following events: 
20 
21 
(a) Switching from one service provider to another; 
Provided, That the 
22 
subscriber has duly registered his name and mobile telephone number 
23 
with the originating service provider; Provided further, That the subscriber 
24 
opting to switch to another mobile service provider has no existing liability 
25 
or outstanding obligations with the originating service provider; 
26 
27 
(b) Switching from a mobile postpaid account to a mobile prepaid account and 
28 
vice versa; Provided, That the subscriber has duly registered his name 
29 
and mobile telephone number with the service provider; Provided further, 
30 
That the subscriber opting to switch from a mobile prepaid account and 
31 
vice versa has no existing liability or outstanding obligations with the 
32 
service provider. 
33 
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35 
SEC. 6. Funding Provisions. - The Commission shall immediately hereinafter 
36 
include in the Commission's programs the prompt implementation of this Act, 
37 
funding of which shall be provided for in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
38 
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40 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be 
41 
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such 
42 
declaration shall remain in full force and effect. 
43 
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45 
SEC. 8, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent 
46 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
47 
48 
49 
SEC. 9. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
50 
following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
51 
52 
53 
Approved, 
2