Mobile Number Portability
Mobile Number Portability and SIM Registration in the Philippines
Keep a Philippine mobile number while changing networks or plan type, and complete the receiving carrier’s identity and SIM-registration steps without relying on the old number prefix.
Mobile Number Portability under RA 11202 lets a qualified prepaid or postpaid subscriber keep the same number when changing networks or switching plan type. SIM registration still applies to the subscription at the receiving carrier. Do not assume that the former carrier’s registration record automatically completes the new carrier’s process: follow the receiving network’s application, identity, new SIM/eSIM and registration instructions.
Two laws, two related jobs
| Law | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| RA 11202, Mobile Number Portability Act | Allows a qualified subscriber to retain a mobile number when moving providers or changing prepaid/postpaid type, free of MNP charges. | It does not eliminate the receiving network’s subscription, identity or SIM-activation process. |
| RA 11934, SIM Registration Act | Requires the end user and SIM/eSIM to be registered with the serving telecommunications provider before activation. | It does not make an old carrier’s database the permanent register for every future network. |
External porting moves the number to another network. Internal porting changes prepaid/postpaid type within the same provider. Both can involve a replacement physical SIM or eSIM and updated carrier records.
Common MNP eligibility checks
The receiving and donor providers determine eligibility under RA 11202, its IRR and their current procedures. Common official checks include:
- The mobile number is active.
- The applicant is the assigned subscriber and can prove ownership.
- There are no unpaid account charges or unresolved obligations with the donor provider.
- There is no pending ownership-transfer request, fraud restriction or court prohibition.
- The device is open-line or suitable for the receiving network.
- The previous port or activation is outside the applicable 60-day waiting rule.
- The applicant has a current government-issued ID and any postpaid application documents.
The donor provider issues a nine-digit Unique Subscriber Code after its checks. The MNP IRR and current carrier pages state that a USC is valid for 15 calendar days. If it expires, request a new one from the donor provider.
What to prepare
- The active number and access to its current SIM/eSIM.
- A valid government-issued photo ID matching the assigned subscriber.
- The Unique Subscriber Code for external porting.
- Proof of SIM ownership for a prepaid number when requested.
- The latest statement and standard application documents for postpaid where applicable.
- An unlocked or receiving-network-compatible phone.
- An email address if the receiving carrier delivers an eSIM QR by email.
- Copies of the porting application, reference and new-carrier registration confirmation.
MNP plus SIM registration: step by step
Confirm the number’s current owner and status
Check that the number is active, correctly registered and assigned to the person applying. Resolve a mismatch through the donor carrier first.
Check MNP eligibility with the donor provider
Clear outstanding obligations, bundled-account restrictions, ownership requests and other issues identified by the official provider.
Request the Unique Subscriber Code
Obtain the USC through the donor provider’s current official channel and keep it private. It authorizes the porting application; it is not a normal registration OTP.
Apply to the receiving carrier
Choose its prepaid/postpaid and physical-SIM/eSIM route, provide the USC and submit the required identity and subscription documents.
Receive the correct MNP SIM or eSIM
Use only the SIM/eSIM issued for the approved port. Do not activate a random starter SIM unless the carrier explicitly directs it.
Complete the receiving carrier’s identity and registration steps
Follow its registration portal, app or assisted process. Globe explicitly says a prepaid number ported to Globe must be registered through Globe’s portal; other carriers provide their own onboarding flow.
Follow the receiving carrier’s activation instruction
Use only the app, store, account or SIM menu documented for that MNP product. Interface instructions can change, so the live carrier flow controls.
Wait for official port confirmation
Keep the old and new carrier references. Do not treat an order receipt or SIM delivery alone as proof that porting and registration finished.
Verify the new carrier and registration status
Use the receiving carrier’s app, portal or support route and test calls, texts and data after official activation.
What each receiving carrier currently confirms
| Receiving network | Officially confirmed registration relationship | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Globe / TM | Globe’s SIM-registration FAQ says a prepaid user who transfers to Globe through MNP needs to register through Globe’s online portal. | Globe guide or TM guide |
| Smart / TNT | Smart’s MNP process uses a Smart/TNT MNP SIM and identity/application requirements. Smart’s eSIM page says an approved port-in customer is provided a Smart SIM and assisted with registration. | Smart guide or TNT guide |
| DITO | DITO requires a USC and government ID, supplies a DITO SIM for the ported number and provides onboarding/activation instructions. Follow any SIM-registration prompt in DITO App. | DITO guide |
| GOMO | GOMO PH currently advertises Easy Switch and digital port-in. Follow the identity, new SIM/eSIM and registration prompts in GOMO PH; do not assume the former record is enough. | GOMO guide |
After the number moves
- Use the receiving carrier for support. The old prefix does not change, but the serving network has.
- Save the registration/control number. Keep it separately from the porting reference.
- Recheck linked services. Banks and apps still see the same number, but delayed OTP routing or carrier-specific short codes can need support during onboarding.
- Do not discard evidence immediately. Keep the donor USC record, application and new-carrier confirmation until the account is stable.
- Observe the next-port waiting rule. RA 11202 and the IRR restrict another port until 60 days after completion of the previous process.
- Update ownership information when needed. MNP is not a shortcut for transferring a number to another person.
MNP and registration troubleshooting
| Problem | Safe next step |
|---|---|
| USC expired | Request a new USC from the donor provider; do not edit or reuse the expired code. |
| Owner name does not match | Correct the donor-carrier registration/ownership record before trying the port again. |
| Port approved but new SIM says unregistered | Complete the receiving carrier’s registration flow and use its support with both the porting and registration references. |
| Old SIM stopped; new SIM not active | Contact the receiving carrier using the MNP case reference. Do not start a second porting application. |
| Calls work but some OTPs do not | Report routing failures to the receiving carrier and the affected service. Do not share OTPs or repeatedly change SIM-registration data. |
| Number prefix suggests the wrong network | Use the confirmed current carrier from the MNP account, not prefix lookup alone. |
| eSIM QR was deleted or not delivered | Use the receiving carrier’s eSIM recovery route. Do not buy or scan a third-party QR. |
| Another port requested too soon | Check the 60-day rule from completion of the last port and ask the carrier for the eligibility date. |
Related: update registration details · transfer ownership · deactivated SIM recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Does SIM registration transfer automatically with my number?
Do not assume so. Complete the receiving carrier’s identity and registration/onboarding steps.
Is mobile number portability free?
RA 11202 requires MNP to be provided free of charge to qualified subscribers, although a chosen plan, device or delivery can have separate disclosed costs.
What is a USC, and how long is it valid?
The nine-digit Unique Subscriber Code is issued by the donor provider after eligibility checks to begin external porting. The MNP IRR and current carrier pages state that it is valid for 15 calendar days.
Can I port a number registered to someone else?
The applicant must satisfy identity and ownership checks. Correct or transfer the donor-carrier record first.
Can I port again immediately?
No. RA 11202 permits another port after 60 days from completion of the last porting process.
Does the prefix reveal the new carrier?
No. A ported number retains its digits, so the prefix can reflect the original network.
Do I need a new physical SIM?
The receiving carrier supplies the supported MNP physical SIM or eSIM. Follow that carrier’s current product route.
Primary sources
- Republic Act No. 11202, Mobile Number Portability Act
- NTC Memorandum Circular No. 03-06-2019, implementing rules of RA 11202
- Republic Act No. 11934, SIM Registration Act
- Globe SIM-registration FAQ, including MNP port-in
- Smart Mobile Number Portability guide
- Smart eSIM and port-in registration guidance
- DITO MNP requirements and onboarding FAQ
- GOMO Easy Switch and keep-your-number offers