From today, Over 100 million mobile phone users in
the country can now change from one network to
another and still retain their numbers, courtesy of the
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regime which takes
off today.
The regime would be flagged off with a massive
publicity event by the Nigeria Communications
Commissions (NCC).
However, there are concerns about how mobile phone
users can effectively access and enjoy the benefits of
the system after the launch.
Perhaps in anticipation of this, NCC has outlined what
subscribers should do to effectively utilise the benefits
of the system.
Mobile Number Portability makes it possible for a
subscriber to migrate from one network – may be due
to poor services – to another which he/she feels can
offer better services, without losing his/her original
phone number.
Already, NCC and telecoms operators as well as MNP
service providers, have confirmed their readiness for
the scheme while there has been excitement
stemming from what MNP is able and about to do.
Expectedly, the service will give the telecoms
consumers the freedom of choice, redefine
competition and allow subscribers the opportunity to
use only one phone and operate on the platform of
their choice.
The service will also impose cutting-edge
responsibility on the operators who will now ensure
their quality of service is good enough to retain the
confidence of their subscribers.
However, the regulator has hinted the subscribers that
the programme is just beginning and will not provide
the 'magic wand' to address all the problems of the
industry immediately.
NCC, at the weekend, said that technical hitches may
be expected within the first few days of the service
launch, but implored subscribers to show
understanding. It also advised Nigerians to access its
website for detailed information on MNP.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene
Juwah, noted that subscribers were expected to abide
by certain rules to give the system a smooth take off.
"The following are very important: As a subscriber,
you can port (change) to another operator. However,
you will be restricted from porting (changing) your
number to a third operator within 90 days of a
previous port; you can port your number as many
times as you like in a given year. This means there is a
90-day restriction before your next port", he said.
Just like it used to happen in SIM swap at the early
days of GSM in the country, subscribers may port the
numbers of other people for no genuine reasons and
to forestall this, Juwah said subscribers would be
required to submit certain documents. "To move your
number to a new mobile operator, you need to bring
proof of identity such as identity card, passport or
driving licence or an officially-validated photographic
identity document. Also, the mobile number you wish
to port must be validly registered."
He also gave hints that subscribers can port their
numbers at any customer care office, retail shop or
outlet of their chosen new service provider and meet
with the authorized sales person to request to port
their number.
He also informed the subscribers that porting is not
available by telephone, online or other electronic
means.
Meanwhile, subscribers wishing to change their
operators to a preferred network are expected to
terminate service with their existing service provider
before initiating porting with the new service provider.
In Nigeria's model of porting, Juwah said that both
post-paid and pre-paid customers will be able to port
their numbers but however, added that once the
porting process is complete, postpaid customers are
required to settle their outstanding bills to their
previous service provider including any early
termination fees.
He also warned that old service providers are
permitted to use any legal measures to recover any
outstanding charges from a subscriber.
Meanwhile, in compliance with the directive by NCC
that all mobile operators be ready for the
commencement of the exercise today, almost all the
mobile operators in the country have expressed
readiness to fall in line with the MNP from take off.
Globacom said it was fully ready to begin the
implementation of mobile number portability.
Group Operating Officer of the company, Mr
Mohammed Jameel, said that "in terms of system
readiness, Glo has completed the procurement and
implementation of the network signal routing system
(STP) and the porting process or gateway management
system which is the first to be commissioned in the
country and now completely ready for MNP service.
The upgrade and customization of the network
systems, the IT systems, the billing systems that will
handle mediation and fraud management and the
value added systems (VAS) have also been completed".
Jameel added that the company's technical and
operational teams had worked assiduously to ensure
that the network is in a perfect state of preparedness
to enable a smooth transition for those who are
interested in porting on the Glo network.
"We put in place a functional number portability
gateway (NPG) and the first to ensure an all-call query
signal transport point (STP) system which are major
technical requirements for the successful take-off of
mobile number portability on any network", he said.
Also, MTN Nigeria at the weekend expressed its
readiness to comply with the NCC's directive as the
MNP takes off today.
MTN's Corporate Services Executive, Akinwale
Goodluck, said the company has put systems in place
to make MNP a reality for mobile phone users in
Nigeria who are eager to join the country's most
expansive network.
"We have made all the necessary investment in
infrastructure and manpower to make MNP a reality.
We are confident that at the commencement date, we
will be absolutely ready. " Goodluck added.
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Regards,
Mr. David-Leo Toyin Alabi
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