Changing networks while keeping your old mobile number is soon a reality through the launch of the mobile portability services of Telecommunications Connectivity, Inc. (TCI) on Thursday.

In a Laging Handa briefing, TCI general manager Melanie Manuel said mobile subscribers will soon be able to port-in and port-out of their current mobile network and have their service changed from prepaid to postpaid and vice versa through the service.

“Prepaid to postpaid, postpaid to prepaid, prepaid to prepaid, marami pong combinations iyan. Puwedeng-puwede po iyan sa kung sinuman ang gustong mag-port (there are a lot of combinations. It will all be possible for whoever wishes to port),” Manuel said.

For those who wish to change their network, she advised the public to contact their current provider and be ready to present a valid identification (ID) to secure their unique subscriber code (USC).

“Ano po ito? Ito po iyong nine-digit code na dyini-generate po ng clearing house para po pupunta naman sila sa bagong provider (What is this? It is a nine-digit code generated by the clearinghouse to allow them to go to a different provider),” Manuel said.

With a USC, she said a mobile subscriber may then apply to have their number ported through their new mobile network provider.

“In 48 hours from the time na na-approve iyong application ninyo, nakalipat na kayo sa bagong network (In 48 hours from the time the application is approved, they would have changed to their new network),” Manuel said.

Mobile portability services, she said, will be available for free and will remain free for the foreseeable future.

She said mobile subscribers may also change providers every 60 days from their last porting.

“You can move from one network to the other as long as natapos po iyong (it has been) 60 days from your last porting,” Manuel said.

While mobile portability services are expected to work beginning Thursday, she noted that there may be “challenges” or “birthing pains.”

“Mayroon naman talagang (There will always be) hiccups and that will help us perfect the system. So, that feedback that we gather will be able to help us, you know, iterate and then make adjustments,” Manuel said.

The TCI is a joint venture of DITO Telecommunity, Globe Telecoms, and Smart Communications to implement mobile portability services in the country.

“Kinuha po natin si Syniverse as the clearinghouse para i-interconnect ang tatlong telco para mapadali at maging seamless ang mobile number porting services (We hired Syniverse as the clearinghouse to interconnect the three telcos to ease and make seamless the mobile number porting services),” Manuel said. (PNA)