Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile phone users to retain a mobile telephone number when changing the mobile network operator.
Overview
Mobile number portability (MNP) allows people to keep their phone numbers when switching to a new mobile network. Moreover, it has been implemented in various ways across the globe.
In most places, like Europe and many other countries, the process is "recipient-led." This means that when you want to switch to a new network, you contact the new network (the recipient). The new network then asks your current network (the donor) to transfer your number. This method is generally seen as straightforward for customers because they only need to interact with the new network. However, the UK and India have a different system known as "donor-led" porting. In these countries, you first need to contact your current network (the donor) to get a special code a Porting Authorization Code (PAC) in the UK or a Unique Porting Code (UPC) in India—which is to be submitted to the recipient network. The recipient continues the porting process by informing the recipient of that porting code. The method has been criticized by some industry analysts as being inefficient, though it prevents MNP scams. It has also been observed that it may act as customer deterrent as well as allowing the donor an opportunity to win back the customers. This might lead to distortion of competition, especially in the markets with new entrants that are yet to achieve scalability in operations. From 1 July 2019 as a result of new rules from Ofcom, In the UK a customer can request a PAC by simply texting "PAC" to 65075,Ofcom "Decision on reforming the switching of mobile communication services", 19 December 2017 making the process easier without needing to speak directly to the current provider.
Technical details
A key technical aspect of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) involves the routing of calls or mobile messages (SMS, MMS) to a number once it has been ported. Various call routing implementations exist globally, but the International and European best practice employs a central database (CDB) of ported numbers. Network operators replicate the CDB and query it to determine the network to which a call should be directed. According to RFC 3482, this method, known as All Call Query (ACQ), is both efficient and scalable. The majority of established and emerging MNP systems worldwide rely on this ACQ/CDB method for call routing.
The United Kingdom is one of the few countries that does not use the ACQ/CDB approach. Instead, after a number is ported, calls are routed through the donor network, a method known as "indirect routing." This approach is inefficient as it wastes transmission and switching capacity. Additionally, indirect routing poses risks: if the donor network experiences a fault or ceases operations, customers with ported numbers will lose incoming calls.Ofcom "An assessment of alternative solutions for UK number portability", 26 August 2004 The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom completed its extended review of the UK MNP process on 29 November 2007, and mandated that ACQ/CDB be implemented for mobile-to-mobile ported calls by 1 September 2009.Ofcom "Telephone number portability for consumers switching suppliers - Concluding Statement", 29 November 2007 However, in 2010, Ofcom reversed this decision following objections from major UK telecom operators regarding the cost analysis of the mandate and a successful appeal by Vodafone in 2008.Ofcom "Routing calls to ported telephone numbers - Statement", 1 April 2010Competition Appeal Tribunal "Vodafone Limited v Office of Communications Judgement | 2008 CAT 22", 18 September 2008
Prior to March 2008, the minimum porting time in the UK was 5 working days, compared to 3.5 days in Pakistan, 2 hours in the United States, as quickly as 20 minutes in the Republic of Ireland, 3 minutes in Australia and a few seconds in New Zealand. On 17 July 2007, Ofcom concluded a review mandating a reduction of porting time to 2 working days effective 1 April 2008. Following consultations, Ofcom also mandated that near-instant (no more than 2 hours) recipient-led porting be implemented by 1 September 2009. However, Vodafone UK appealed this decision to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), which ruled in favor of Vodafone on 18 September 2008, returning the matter to Ofcom for reconsideration. On 8 July 2010, Ofcom issued a final statement retaining the donor-led process, mandating a two-hour PAC release time, and reducing the porting time from two working days to one working day.Ofcom. "Changes to the Mobile Number Porting Process, Final Statement", London, 8 July 2010. Retrieved on 6 May 2013
In decentralized MNP models, a Flexible Number Register (FNR) may be used to manage a database of ported-out and ported-in numbers for call routing.
Number lookup services Service providers and carriers who route messages and voice calls to MNP-enabled countries might use home location register (HLR) query services to find out the correct network of a mobile phone number. A number of such services exist, which query the operator's HLR over the SS7 signaling network in order to determine the current network of a specified mobile phone number prior to attempted routing of messaging or voice traffic. These number lookup services can access the centralized database where the details related to each phone number subscribe is present who has been authorized to use the GSM network.
Impact on mobile carriers and customers
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is crucial for telecom markets as it eliminates a significant barrier to switching, particularly for users who place high value on their numbers, such as business users. By reducing the obstacles to switching, MNP benefits challenger carriers in competition with dominant incumbents. Typically, the implementation of MNP in a country results in an increase in customer churn.
The experience of portability can differ significantly from country to country. For instance, in Portugal, any call to a ported mobile number is accompanied by an announcement indicating that the number has been ported. The uptake of porting varies considerably across markets. According to a report by the Irish regulator Comreg, over 3 million mobile numbers were ported in Ireland between 2004 and 2013.Quarterly Key Data Report Irish Communications Markets. Retrieved 17 February 2023 In contrast, Portugal, which has a much larger population of mobile users, saw just over one million numbers ported during a similar timeframe.
The Americas Country Implementation dateyyyy.mm.dd Time to portdays Price Short notes References 2010.08.17 1–5 days ARS 5 The plan started in August 2010. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. 2018.10.01 1 Free The process take more working days on postpaid services 2008.09.01 0–3 Free The plan started in March 2007 2007.03.14 0 Free MNP procedure takes 10–20 minutes. 2011.07.29 0 Free On 1 July 2020, the time taken for the MNP procedure to take effect was reduced from 3 days to under 24 hours, the customer might also pick a specific date for the MNP procedure be carried out. 2012.01.16 1 Free The process takes place overnight. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. 2009.09.30 3–10 Free 2009.10.12 4 Free ASCP handled by Systor, Telconet and JR Electric Supply 2015.08.24 0 Free The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro, administered by Mediafon Datapro and "imCard S.A. de C.V." . MNP procedure takes up to 8 hours, FNP – 3 days. 2014.04.30 0 Free MNP procedure takes 1 hour. 2008.07.05 2019.09.01 In 2019 September Mediafon de Mexico successfully replaced old solution by modern Numlex NPCDB platform. Previously the service was handled by iconectiv and Neoris. 2012.11.30 Up to 8 working days Free MNP can take up to 8 working days but usually takes no longer than 1–2 working days. Switching occurs between 1 am and 5 am. 2010.01.01 7–9 Free sim card of the new mobile company that will cost around 15 PEN. 2003.11.24 0 Free iconectiv manages the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC), the largest number portability system in the world. Consisting of seven regional systems, the NPAC facilitates number porting across all Service Providers in the United States. 2021.01.12 1–5 days Free Cleartech manages the Portability Database Administration (ABD - Administrador de la Base de Datos)
Central Asia Country Implementation dateyyyy.mm.dd Time to portdays Price Short notes References 2016.01.01 5 Free The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro, administrated by national NPCDB Administrator.
Asia Pacific Country Implementation dateyyyy.mm.dd Time to portdays Price Short notes References 2001.09.25 0 Free Previously prefixes04x1, 04x2, 04x3 referred to Optus04x4, 04x5 and 04x6 referred to Vodafone043x, referred to Vodafone Hutchison Australia formally known as Hutchison 3G Australia.04x7, 04x8, 04x9 and 0410x referred to TelstraSome carriers may charge a fee for porting out. MNP takes around 10 to 20 minutes 2018.10.01 7 $0.43 50 BDT Fee and 200 BDT SIM replacement Tax and VAT. Total amount is 256 BDT. Number portability is available nationwide, "Infozillion BD-Teletech Consortium" provided the MNP. customer should have completed a period of 90 days (from the date of activation of the mobile connection) with the current operator, to be eligible for porting to another operator. Similarly, after porting to a new provider the number would be locked in for 90 days. GrameenPhone, Robi, Airtel-bd, Banglalink all operator can port own Number.
The duration for the process is 7 days and the time a number is deactivated for portability is about 2 hours. (mainland) Phase I: 2010.11 (in Tianjin and Hainan) Phase II: 2018.12 (Phase I and Jiangxi, Hubei and Yunnan provinces) Phase III: 2019.11.10 (all provinces, officially on 2019.12.01)<1 (1~2 hours as in Phase II)Free (but as per the 4th requirement on right, sometimes cancellation of contract services may take some fees)No MVNO, satellite and IoT numbers are accepted due to technical challenges. No changes on home territory when doing MNP. MNP requests may only accepted if and when the phone numbers:
Are identified with real name Are not in reported-the-loss or halted mode Have not owed phone bills Have no limits on contract services Have linked with the previous carrier for 120 days 1999.03.01 2 Free Service handled by Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). In the network, you may be charged unexpectedly for a call to a mobile that has been ported form a different network. 2011.01.20 3 ₹6.46 (if requested by operator) Number portability is available nationwide, provided the customer should have completed a period of 90 days (from the date of activation of the mobile connection) with the current operator, to be eligible for porting to another operator. Similarly, after porting to a new provider the number would be locked in for 90 days. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv.
The duration for the process is 3 days and the time a number is deactivated for portability is about 2 hours. 2006.10.24 1 JPY 3000 2008.10.01 1 Free 1 day is a minimum time necessary for porting. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. 2016.03.10 2 MVR 200 Number portability is allowed within a circle. The customer should have completed a period of 90 days (from the date of activation of the mobile connection) with the current operator and any outstanding bills should be cleared, to be eligible for porting to another operator.