Starting yesterday, mobile phone users who migrate to a new telecom carrier with their current telephone number can expect their cellphone service to be resumed by the next day if they complete all required procedures before 8pm on the day they switch.
Prior to the launch of the updated policy, cellphone users filing number portability applications were required to wait one business day before being able to use the services of their new carrier.
The National Communications Commission said the previous measure was in place due to a dramatic increase in the number of applications to carry over telephone numbers.
It was also set to ensure that telecom operators have adequate time to review applications and inform each other of a switch, the commission said.
To shorten the processing time, the commission said that the nation’s carriers agreed to upgrade their facilities and increase the number of personnel reviewing applications.
“Apart from allowing consumers to access their new services in a shorter time, we hope the new policy will contribute to healthy competition among carriers,” the commission said in a statement.
However, the commission said that applicants must not have any unpaid bills or unresolved issues on their accounts with the previous telecom carrier, which would cause a delay beyond one day in switching between providers.
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