NCC Begins Test Run of MNP

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said at the weekend that it will begin test run Mobile Number Portability (MNP) preparatory to its full implementation in the first quarter of next year, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.

The implementation of MNP has been postponed severally with mobile telephone subscribers eagerly awaiting the whistle to allow them migrate from one network operator to another without losing their original numbers.

The Commission had fixed June 2012 for MNP implementation, but shifted the date to September on the grounds that it needed time to conclude the harmonization of subscribers’ data collected during the SIM card registration exercise and appoint an MNP operator.

Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs, NCC, said that all the necessary things required for the test run of the implementation MNP is ready and that the test run begin this December.

Ojobo added that the test run will afford the consultants the opportunity to address any hitches that may arise in the process for a full launch in first quarter next year.

Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another.

MNP is implemented in different ways across the globe.

The two providers in an MNP transaction are called the 'Recipient' (new provider) and the 'Donor'(old provider).

The international and European standard is a 'Recipient-Led'. The customer contacts the new provider who then makes arrangements with the old provider.

Recipient-Led provision has been criticised by some consumer groups because of the possibility of Slamming.

It would be recalled that NCC has settled for Recipient –Led transaction in the implementation process.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that that NCC had licensed three service providers to implement number portability in the country; they are Interconnect Clearinghouse, Saab Grintek, and Telcordia.

These firms will be responsible for the set up and implementation of Number Portability Clearing House in Nigeria, and provide mobile number portability solution administration in Nigeria within six months of receiving the license with a testing period of two months.

The commencement of implementation of MNP which is wisely perceived as an effective means of checking anti-competitive behavior of some mobile operators as address poor quality of service.