Nigerians must embrace mobile number portability – Interconnect MD
Mr Oladele Ayanbadejo, Managing Director of Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited has called on Nigerians to embrace the mobile number portability (MNP) that will enable a subscriber to retain their mobile phone number when changing from one mobile service provider to another.
Ayanbadejo made this appeal yesterday during a press briefing in Lagos to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the launch of mobile number portability in Nigeria.
He described Mobile Number Portability as a service that enables a subscriber to retain their mobile phone number when changing from one mobile service provider to another, adding that the benefit of the service is that the subscriber can switch between service providers without having to go through the trouble of informing their friends, family and colleagues of a new contact number as the number stays the same.
He commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for the introduction of number portability into the Nigerian telecommunications industry, which he said placed Nigeria at par with the highly industrialized and advanced economies of the world where telecoms consumers have been able to port for decades.
Commenting on the benefit to the industry, MD, Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria stated that it mitigates monopoly of market share by any of the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) as a subscriber is free to switch provider at will; the Mobile Number Portability scheme also minimizes anti-competitive practices by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and has also created a level playing field.
He added that Mobile Number Portability is of immense benefit to the Mobile Network Operator’s as a new entrant Network Operator will find it easier to acquire subscribers, noting that the migration process to a new service provider has been completely simplified.
According to him, existing Network Operators also benefit from the scheme as it gives them the opportunity to increase their market share, while maximizing the number range allocated to them. Number portability is cost effective for Organisations as Corporate communication has become cheaper and easier; Official mobile numbers can be ported to one network and still enjoy the benefit of cheaper “on net rates”.
He explained that the scheme is designed to meet the needs of all consumers and it is available to both pre-paid and post-paid mobile customers.
He noted that Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited (ICN), which is a wholly Nigerian owned Company, in conjunction with its technical partners, iconectiv and Saab Grintek have recorded tremendous growth since the inception of the scheme.
He offered profound thanks and gratitude to the NCC for the opportunity given to them to contribute positively to the industry through the ongoing support and regulatory guidance.
The MNO’s currently participating in the number porting live production environment, he said have also played a huge role in contributing to the successful implementation of the scheme since inception.
He commended MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom for exhibiting the highest level of professionalism and fair play, stressing that this has led to a steady increase in the porting figures.
