Globe, Smart exchange accusations as number porting hits snag

Globe Telecom said its GOMO brand subscribers would be allowed to switch to other networks, as required under the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Act, by Oct. 12 this year after rival Smart Communications complained of delays before the National Telecommunications Commission.

In a statement on Thursday, Globe said it wanted to ensure seamless porting while citing the “complexity of multiple functions of its other brands.”

Globe said it “strongly denies any malice or intent to violate the MNP law,” noting that its “core brands” Globe Prepaid, Postpaid, Platinum and TM were already providing MNP services.

“We are sincere in our intent to give our mobile customers the ability to choose their favorite provider and we are doing our best to comply. We are also grateful to our customers for choosing Globe over other providers,” Globe said in its statement.

Globe noted there were, so far, no requests from GOMO customers seeking to switch telco providers.

Globe also fired back at rival Smart, noting that the issues were being discussed with the management of Telecommunications Connectivity Inc., their number porting venture, which also includes Dito Telecommunity.

Delays

“It does seem this complaint is being done in bad faith on the part of Smart,” Globe added.

On Wednesday, Smart called out GOMO for delays in participating in the official launch of number porting services on Sept. 30.

The MNP law allows subscribers to easily switch between telco providers and plans without changing mobile numbers within a 48-hour period.

On Thursday, Smart doubled down on its complaint against Globe, saying the telco was making it difficult for subscribers to leave the Globe network and also for causing bugs for functions of the mobile wallet GCash once they do.

Smart pointed to a Globe “system error” that prevented subscribers from switching even if they were precleared to port to Smart’s network.

Smart is referring to the Globe-issued valid unique subscriber code that when presented at the Smart store is rejected by Globe’s system.

“After one week, Globe’s system continues to generate the same error to the frustration of its customers wanting to transfer to Smart,” Smart said.

It noted that as of Oct. 5, it recorded a 38-percent rejection rate by Globe, owing to these technical issues.

It added that some subscribers who have successfully switched to Smart were also unable to access certain functions of Globe’s GCash, such as buying load.

Smart said its customers who had ported to Globe “continue to enjoy the full functionalities” of its affiliate PayMaya, a rival mobile wallet.

“Smart anticipated this issue and addressed it in time for the MNP launch. In the meantime, Smart is providing all the assistance to Globe customers that have transferred or ported in to Smart by offering them PayMaya as an alternative loading wallet,” it added.