I’ve been a Smart postpaid subscriber for more than a decade. I am not going to lie, there are times that their signal and customer service tends to be frustrating from time to time.

Before the pandemic, I was always out on-the-go. Outside, I rarely experience one to two bars of signal. So while at home, the poor signal didn’t really bother me back then at all not until I started the work from home setup.

Most of my colleagues started complaining about: them not being able to reach me through call because my line is unattended or outside of coverage area most of the time and their text messages are replied after an hour or two. As a work around, we use Viber. Not all of them have wired / fiber connection and just rely on data connection which is also unstable.

Yesterday, I received another electronic billing statement from Smart. I have been paying my (somewhat useless) postpaid line for almost 2 years now.  Then, it crossed my mind – what happen to the Mobile Portability Act? So, I’ve decided to call  Smart customer service and surprisingly, someone answered!

I got sick and tired of paying bills! besides, the signal wasn’t so great lately and they always have this kind of unending maintenance.

So, I asked the agent – “Can I convert my postpaid plan to prepaid? is the MNP implemented? or do I have to wait until Sept. 30?” Then she gave me a wonderful news! She said : “Yes ma’am, you can go to any Smart Wireless Center. Just bring 1 valid ID”.

Converting Smart Postpaid to Prepaid. How did I do it?

I am severely affected by paranoia when it comes to stepping outside now a days. People are dying here and there due to this delta variant. It’s really terrifying! Since this has to be done personally, I have to do this essential errand in a clever, safe, fast way and this is how you’re gonna do it.

First, google “Stay Smart” click the link (https://smart.com.ph/Pages/stay-smart)
Second, choose Store Appointments.
Third, look for the Smart Store nearest you. Choose – Aftersales – In-Store Appointment.

I strongly suggest that you get the earliest slot. I arrived at ANNEX carpark at exactly 10:00am – it’s half empty which is a good thing. My appointment with Smart at 10:30am. I arrived earlier than expected (purposely). As you can see, there’s nearly no one inside the store. Literally, just the staffs + 2 customers and this is how you would want it for safety purposes.

Since i have an appointment, the representative is already there waiting to accommodate me while there are already 5-6 people lined up outside waiting for their turn. This is why getting an online appointment is a MUST!

Before processing your request, you will be first asked to settle your bill. This might be the last postpaid bill that I will be paying with Smart Communications. For memory’s sake, this photo has to be here.

Converting your Smart postpaid to prepaid is uncomplicated. You will be asked to read the terms, fill out and sign some forms. Subject for approval and here’s a checklist of the requirements.

Smart Postpaid to Prepaid Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Eligibility Checklist

• Mobile number / Account number is in ACTIVE status
• NO porting activity done in the last 60 days
• NO pending / Open Service Request/ Sales Order
• MIN should have NO Fraud / Blacklist tagging
• NO active contract
• NO Outstanding Balance
• Requester should be Subscriber in Record
• MIN should NOT be part of Bundles service or product

Smart MNP Eligibility Form General Terms & Conditions

• Any active subscriptions to promos and / or remaining load balance will be forfeited upon porting to Postpaid.
• Any active subscription / add ons will be forfeited upon porting to Postpaid.
• There will be a maximum of 4 hours downtime upon completion of Change Band request.
• The change in service shall be subject to the acceptance of the rules and policies of the new service (ex. Prepaid to Postpaid or vice versa)
• Customer requesting for Porting must fully met the Eligibility Criteria.

The whole process took almost 40 minutes – their system was down (again). If you’re planning to downgrade your postpaid plan, do it early! because the moment I went out of the Smart store, the line was just way too long and there’s just way too much people around that area. My anxiety started kicking in! it was just around 11:00am! an hour since the mall opened.

This is one of the best decisions I made for this year 2021. I’m really glad I did. Lessening expenses during this pandemic is just one of the practical ways to survive and stretch our budget.

January 2024 Update

I’m still not on the Smart wagon. Why? Signal reliability issues, especially in places I frequent folks! Even the prepaid option hasn’t lured me in yet. Gotta keep it real, right? 😊