Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 735

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon
First District of Northem Samar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

a subscriber can

This growing dependency on our mobile phones makes it ideal
maintain the same mobile number even if one changes his/her service provider since this will
eliminate the hassle that comes with having a new mobile number. Unfortunately, in our current

mobile network set-up, this type of service is not available. This is precisely the situation that

this bill seeks to addr:

This bill aims to resolve this matter by introducing the concept of Mobile Telephone

Number Portability (MTNP) in the country, This type of system basically provides mobile
subscribers the option to keep their old mobile number in the event that they change their service
providers, or shift trom prepaid to postpaid or vice versa. MTNP has already been the practive in
some parts of Europe, Africa, Australia, and even in some of our Asian neighbors, There is no

reason why the same convenicnee should not be made available to the Filipino consumers.

This measure was previously filed by Senator Pangilinan in the 15% Congress. The

immediate passage of this bill is carnestly sought here in the 16" Congress.

HANENTRETABAYON

Representative
First District of Northern Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

795

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon
First District of Northem Samar

ANACT
ESTABLISHING NUMBER PORTABILITY FOR MOBILE TELEPHONE SERVICE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. This act shall be known as the "Mobile Telephone Number Portability Act of
2013."

Sec.2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to ensure and promote public interest and
convenience in the country. The remarkable growth of mobile telephone subscribers connotes
telecommunications as an inevitable public service needing reasonable regulation to promote the
interest of the continuously growing consumers or mobile telephone subscribers. In view of this, the
State shall promote consumers’ choice in telecommunications services to avail of superior services
suitable to their needs thereby giving value to the cost of the telephone service.

Sec. 3. Applicability. The provisions in this act shall apply to all mobile telephone service providers
who are holders of a franchise and has secured a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
(CPCN) or Provisional Authority (PA) from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). The
option of telephone number portability may be availed of by natural or artificial subscribers with
mobile postpaid account and/or mobile prepaid account duly registered with the telephone service
provider.

Sec.4. Definition of Terms.
‘Commission - refers to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - refers to an authority issued by the
Commission to operate a public telecommunications service based on the promise that
the provision of said service and the authorization to do business will promote public

interest in a proper and suitable manner.

Franchise - refers to privilege conferred upon a telecommunications entity by Congress
authorizing the said entity to engage in a certain type of telecommunications service,

Mobile Telephone Number Portability - refers to the ability to transfer an existing mobile


telephone number assigned by a telephone service provider to another service provider.

Provisional Authority - refers a temporary authority issued by the Commission to operate a
public telecommunications service.

Postpaid Mobile Account - refers to a model of mobile telephone service whereby the
customers or subscribers are charged for usage in the prior month, It is an account for

which customers or subscribers are billed for their use of a service provider services on

a monthly basis based on either the terms of a contract or on the amount of services they have
used

Prepaid Mobile Account - refers to a model of a mobile telephone service whereby customers or
subscribers are required to add a certain amount to their accounts prior to usage and their
maximum usage is limited to the amount that is added to the account. It is an account for which
credit is purchased in advance of service use.

Sec. 5. Mobile Telephone Number Portability. The Commission shall require all mobile telephone
service providers to provide consumers or mobile telephone subscribers the option to retain their
numbers in the following events:

a. Switching from one service provider to another: Provided, that the subscriber has duly
registered his name and mobile telephone number with the originating service provider: and
Provided further, that the subscriber opting to switch to another mobile service provider has no
existing liability or outstanding obligations with the originating service provider.

b. Switching from a mobile postpaid account to a mobile prepaid account and vice versa:
Provided, that the subscriber has duly registered his name and mobile telephone number with
the service provider; Provided further, that the subscriber opting to switch from a mobile
postpaid account to a mobile prepaid account and vice versa has no existing liability or
outstanding obligations with the service provider.

Sec. 6. Economic Benefit Provision. All mobile service providers are mandated to impose a uniform
rate for all calls and text messaging services, whether within the same network or between two
different networks, for all subscribers who will avail of the option provided under this Act.

Sec. 7. Funding Provision. The Commission shall immediately hereinafter include in the Commission's
programs the prompt implementation of this Act, funding of which shall be provided for in the Annual
General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part of the provision of this Act is hereby declared unconstitutional
or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All law, executive orders, decrees, rules and regulations, or any part thereof
inconsistent with the provision of this Act are deemed repealed or modified according!

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect sixty (60) days following its publication in at least two
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,