Singapore to enjoy full mobile number portability from 13 June
Posted: 16 April 2008 1122 hrs

SINGAPORE: Come 13 June, cellphone subscribers in Singapore will enjoy full mobile number portability.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) says the new solution will replace the current one where a mobile subscriber holds two numbers so that calls to his old number are call-forwarded to a new one.

Singapore mobile subscribers were one of the first in the world to enjoy mobile number portability through this call-forwarding solution when it was launched here in 1997.

When implemented from 13 June, full mobile number portability will allow anyone who wishes to keep their current number when they switch mobile operator, to do so by the next working day. This spares them the hassle of updating their family, friends and business contacts about a new number.

The long-awaited move is expected to intensify competition amongst telcos which will now have to compete aggressively not just to win market share but to retain existing customers.

Singapore's mobile subscription stands at more than 5.8 million. - CNA/ir

Thursday August 28, 2008 MYT 12:02:18 PM
Mobile number portability to start Friday

PUTRAJAYA: Mobile phone users can now enjoy the freedom of switching network service providers without having to forego their original phone number.

Effective Friday, the service will be extended to users with prepaid mobile phone numbers in the Klang Valley. Postpaid users can start enjoying the facility in two weeks.

In a statement, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the service, known as Mobile Number Portability (MNP), would take away the inconvenience associated with switching service providers and consumers' concern over losing their contacts when doing so.

"Service providers are allowed to charge up to RM25 each time a subscriber changes their mobile phone service provider. This will give the users choice and freedom to choose their service providers without the inconvenience of having to change their numbers.

"The nationwide launch for the MNP will be in October," Shaziman said.

Shaziman said the MNP is about improved service quality, better packages, better customer service and giving consumers choice. He added that initially only individual account holders would be able to change their service providers while business accounts could do so after the nationwide launch.

He said that until the nationwide launch, each service provider would only be able to accept 100 requests per day, adding that prepaid users are advised to finish their credit balance before changing the service provider as any remaining credit would not be refunded.

"Mobile phone users are advised not to rush into porting but should first study the various packages being offered before choosing the new service provider of their choice," he said.

Mobile phone users can refer to the frequently-asked-questions on MNP at the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission website at www.skmm.gov.my and all of the mobile operator's websites to find out more about the service.