BIZ BUZZ: Dispute in the (telco) family

In theory, mobile number portability is a great idea. Just imagine: users will be able to retain their mobile phone number—which their hundreds of friends and associates use to contact them—should they decide to switch mobile phone service providers in the event that their current one isn’t giving them the service quality they’re paying for.

That would be a real game changer, and will do wonders in making telecommunications firms shape up.

In practice, however, things aren’t as smooth as they should be, despite the number portability law having been enacted a couple of years ago.

In particular, it looks like a joint venture company set up by Dito Telecommunications, Smart Communications and Globe Telecom is favoring two of the three telcos at the expense of the third.

We’re talking about Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI), which was formed as the joint venture company by Dito, Globe and Smart to enable number porting services in compliance with the Mobile Number Portability Law.

TCI is basically the implementing arm for all activities between mobile service providers and the mobile number portability service provider. Call it a clearing house, if you will.

This joint venture firm is necessary to facilitate decision making and approvals in the various contracts that will be entered into during the course of the implementation of mobile number porting. That’s because it will be too unwieldy to secure approvals from the three operators for any decision or contract that will have to be entered into with third parties.

Part of three-way shareholder’s agreement is that, in case of disputes, the issue should first be raised with TCI. The bottom line is that TCI should be the venue to resolve disputes in good faith.

Biz Buzz learned, however, Globe officials are chafing under the actions of TCI which they perceive to be skewed against the Ayala-controlled telco, and seemingly favoring Smart and DITO.

Recently, Smart went to town complaining about delays on the part of Globe in facilitating the transfer of the latter’s subscribers to the former.

The Globe guys—who probably thought that the bad old days of the Telco Wars were long gone—were shocked to see Smart bringing their issues to the public, instead of the prescribed internal dispute resolution scheme.

Even the so-called service defects that Smart pointed out were supposed to be information privy only to TCI management (headed by former PLDT veteran Melanie Manuel).

“We’re supposed to be a family, yet they immediately brought out accusations of Globe making ‘deliberate’ delays. What kind of [behavior] is that?” one aghast Globe insider said.

Now, the Globe guys are asking: If the three-way rules of the road can’t be respected by other parties involved, what is TCI even there for?

Oh, incidentally, word on the street is that among millions upon millions of mobile phone accounts in the Philippines, the total number of people who have so far asked to migrate is … a grand total of 1,500 or so. So, will other other telcos succeed in poaching more of Globe’s high spending postpaid and prepaid subscribers? Or will Globe be able to keep them in the fold? Abangan!

—Daxim L. Lucas

Tribute to Ressa, Diaz

A few months before retailing icon Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., passed last July at the age of 100, he said something that would resonate well with his grandson and namesake, Bienvenido “Donnie” III.

The late luxury retailing magnate said something like this: “Donnie, the world would be a much better place when the female spirit is strong. Devote the rest of your life to defending it, empowering it and protecting it. Make sure that the female spirit is strong. There will be justice in the world. There will be purity of intention in the world. There will be innovation in the world. There will be creativity in the world. Children will turn out better for many generations. And there will be compassion and excellence in the world without ego, if the female spirit is strong.”

Donnie Tantoco (2004 The Outstanding Young Men or TOYM honoree) for business entrepreneurship), who chairs the TOYM Foundation, recalled his grandfather’s words in an intimate ceremony he hosted at the Manila House last week to honor two women TOYMers who have brought much honor and inspiration to Philippines.

We’re talking about veteran journalist Maria Ressa (TOYM 2002) and Olympic gold medalist/bride-to-be Hidilyn Diaz (TOYM 2017). “I hope that the light that has been shone on the Philippines by the Nobel committee helps us—helps all of us—that it give us energy, it gives us courage … and please, my gosh, vote!!!” Ressa said during her acceptance speech. Diaz said she was happy that in the midst of the pandemic, there’s good news and many were coming from the TOYM community.

“Lagi kong sinasabi na ang lakas natin ay galing sa ating tibay, husay, tapang at buti. Mas malakas po pag sama-sama tayo. (I always say that our strength comes from our resilience, excellence, courage and kindness. We are stronger together).”

In her closing remarks, TOYM president Chaye Cabal-Revilla (TOYM 2013) said to the honorees: “Thank you for being our strength and inspiration. You not only touched the glass ceiling: you broke it and soar away over it. We are so blessed to have you, all of us women, and all of us Filipinos here and your TOYM family is very very proud of you and we’ll always include you both in our prayers.”

—Doris Dumlao-Abadilla INQ

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