[daily independent] The issues with number portability have re-surfaced again, one year after they were put in the cooler. This time round, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator, is pushing for its implementation against the collective wishes of telecom operators, who are asking for time to enable them settle issues of interconnectivity, robust infrastructure and billing method before the implementation of number portability.
The NCC, which does not believe in further delay in the implementation of the scheme, last week, called for submission of proposals on the regulatory, legal and technical framework for the implementation of number portability in Nigeria. The call was an extension of time for proposals submission, to June 19, 2009, having earlier advertised for the implementation of number portability.
NCC had in 2007, introduced number portability, which in technical parlance, means allowing telecom subscribers to switch from one network to another, while still retaining ther original number. A Globacom subscriber for, instance, can decide to switch off from the Glo network and move to MTN network within the same geographical location, and still retain his Glo number. After being satisfied with the MTN service, he can decide to return to his original network (Glo) after some time. The beauty of it all is that the idea of carrying more than one telephone line will cease and subscribers will maintain just one handset with one line and switch from one network to another, remain with the network for some time, and return again to their original network, without the need to change SIM cards or carry multiple phones.
When it was first introduced in 2007, telecom operators welcomed the idea but pleaded with NCC for more time before its implementation. Their argument was that they need to build a robust network, have a strong and dependable interconnect system in place and be able to have a common understanding of the billing method and revenue sharing style.
According to operators, all operators must be technically ready in terms of robust infrastructure rollout, believing that not all operators are technically ready for number portability. They equally argued that it took South Africa 12 years to implement number portability, after the launch of GSM in 1994, and that the United Kingdom introduced number portability into their telecom sector, many years after the launch of its GSM.
Nigeria, they said, is just eight years old in the GSM business and that operators are single handedly investing in infrastructure rollout without support from government. All these reasons put together, made up their collective and strong belief that NCC needs to give operators enough time before considering implementing number porting.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, had said that the issues surrounding number portability are challenging but that the idea is a welcome development.
He insisted that its implementation is necessary but that operators be given enough time for implementation because of some technical issues that need to be addressed.
"The issue of number portability goes beyond a plug and play issue, and a lot of technical matters have to be resolved before its eventual implementation," Adebayo said.
According to him, operators have to agree on so many issues like revenue sharing, interconnectivity, data flow, billing methods and robust infrastructure, before the consideration of its implementation.
NCC had in the past, called for stakeholders meeting where all operators welcomed the idea, but collectively asked for more time.
MTN' Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ahmmad Farroukh who aligned with Adabayo's position on number portability, said the network operators have to be fully ready with time before embarking on the service.
"Technically, the One Number Portability is challenging and operators in Nigeria have to be technically ready for the rollout of One Number Portability," Farroukh said.
Believing in the strong impact of number portability service in the telecom sector, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Ernest Ndukwe said number portability will help foster greater and fair competition and compel operators to provide better quality of service.
Background Of Number Portability
Under the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) "local number portability" (LNP) rules of Washington DC, where number portability is currently being practiced, so long as you remain in the same geographic area, you can switch telephone service providers, including interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, and keep your existing phone number. If you are moving from one geographic area to another, however, you may not be able to take your number with you. Therefore, subscribers remaining in the same geographic area can now switch from a wireless, wireline, or VoIP provider to any other wireless, wireline, or VoIP provider and still keep their existing phone numbers.
Initiating The Process
If you want to change from one telecom operator to another, do not terminate your service with your existing operator before initiating service with the prospective new operator.
Contact the new operator, which will start the process of porting your number by contacting your current operator. Be prepared to provide the new operator with your 11-digit phone number, customer account number, digit zip code, and passcode, if applicable.
Be aware that when terminating service with a wireless company, you may be obligated to pay any early termination fees under your existing contract. Also, when terminating service with any operator, you are usually required to pay any outstanding balance owed. Review your bill or contract to determine what fees or charges apply. Once you request service from the new operator, however, your old company may not refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.
You may request service from a new company at any time.
Fees and Charges For Number Portability
Telecom operators may assess fees to recover the costs that they incur in providing number portability. Fees may vary between operating companies, and some operators may not charge any fees.
Operating companies may not refuse to port a number because a consumer has not paid for porting.
When considering a switch, consumers should ask the new operating company whether it charges any number portability fees and whether those fees can be waived.
The Porting Period
Your new telephone operator can usually give you a good idea about how long the process will take. To keep the process as short as possible, the FCC recently clarified that companies may not obstruct or delay number porting by requiring you to provide excessive personal information before porting your existing telephone number.
The FCC of Washington D.C. for instance is considering imposing additional requirements to make LNP more efficient, including shortening porting periods for simple ports.
Issues With Number Portability, as NCC Insists on Implementation
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