The number of telco subscribers who switched networks under the mobile number portability remains insignificant, contrary to expectations, according to analysts.
Many believed that a large portion of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Smart Communications and Globe Telecom clients would transfer to Dito Telecommunity, the third telco player in the country, amid the company’s promos of providing cheaper and faster internet.
However, Telecommunications Connectivity Inc., the joint venture company of the three telcos charged with the task of handling the MNP where a subscriber from one telco can transfer to another carrying the same mobile number, only recorded 800 take-ups out of the more than 100 million subscriber base.
The said figure was much lower than TCI head Melanie Manuel’s estimate that at least one million subscribers were expected to switch networks when she unveiled the MNP that was passed into law and implemented starting Sept. 30, 2021.
Manuel, a graduate of Industrial Engineering from University of Santo Tomas and formerly connected with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. made her forecast in July.
In a television interview, Manuel said only 800 out of a subscriber base of 100 million had transferred to Dito so far.
The mobile switching was expected to expand the number of Dito’s subscribers.
The third telco player aims to attract Globe and Smart subscribers and gain at least 30 percent of the total market share within its first few years of operations. This would translate into 20 to 25 million customers.
As of Oct. 19, 2021, the share price of Dito was P7.09 compared to P3,108 of Globe and P1,620 of PLDT.
The TCI, according to its by-laws, is the industry body tasked to resolve complaints involving mobile switching.
It also formed a transfer protocol wherein the switch could be finished within four hours and a mobile switcher could transfer to another telco after 60 days.
There is no limit to the transfer of subscribers among the telcos — Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.-Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Dito Telecommunity.
