Singtel & TPG Had a War of Words in Facebook Over Number Porting Issue

Lest you’re unaware, Singapore has a fourth telecom company and it’s called TPG Telecom. This is different from virtual telcos like Circle.Life as TPG Telecom has its own infrastructure while virtual telcos rent the infrastructure from existing telcos.

For example, Circle.Life rents from M1.

But back to TPG.

The fourth telco is known for its SIM-only plan that’s made simple, and plans that are month to month, instead of the contracts that’s usually offered at other telcos like Singtel and M1.

The best part? They even have a 6-month trial so that you can try their service for absolutely free.

Now though, they’re having a bit of a tiff with our telecoms market leader Singtel:

Singtel & TPG Had a War of Words in Facebook Over Number Porting Issue

TPG Telecom began a war of words after it accused market leader Singtel of blocking number-porting requests from subscribers who are interested in switching.

TPG took it to social media and shared on a Facebook post that Singtel had “repeatedly denied all valid porting requests to TPG”.

Porting allows customers to keep using their existing mobile numbers when they switch mobile plans from one telco to another.

TPG also said, “This affects consumers’ freedom of choice and we have raised your concerns to the relevant authorities. We seek your understanding and patience in this matter.”

Wah, with such an accusation, Singtel has to respond.

And respond they did.

Singtel Responded

Singtel was swift to respond and took to its Facebook page hours later to deny TPG’s allegations and clarify their positions in a Facebook post.

They said that testing of the porting system had been completed successfully and Singtel, StarHub and M1 had written collectively to TPG on 10 February to say that all three telcos would support mobile number-porting when TPG launches its commercial service.

In its Facebook post, Singtel said, “To our knowledge, they have not launched their commercial service.”

“TPG needs to give us sufficient notice of their launch so that we can implement the necessary front-line system changes and training to facilitate the service. Unfortunately, they have not responded to date.”

TPG’s Commercial Launch Expected In December 2019 But Delayed 

TPG’s commercial launch was expected in December 2019 but has since been delayed to some time this year as there were still coverage and performance issues being sorted out.

A spokesman from Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said in a statement on Saturday that, “IMDA has required TPG to complete this process before offering mobile number-porting to consumers.”

IMDA has also requested that other telcos quickly resolve porting requests from affected customers.

In other news, Singtel and TPG are also vying for at least one of four 5G licenses for the upcoming launch of nationwide 5G networks.

So, is it all just a misunderstanding? But why hasn’t there been any similar complaints to Starhub or M1?

Stay in Facebook, because that’s where all the drama is #justsaying