Ofcom moves to speed up number portability

UK TELECOMS watchdog, Ofcom, has moved to speed up 'number portability' on mobile phone networks. This process enables subscribers to switch networks but retain their old number.

Ofcom is saying that by April Fools' Day (1st) 2008, all UK operators will have to speed up the time the swap-over takes to two days.

To decrease this to "a near instant porting process", Ofcom is saying that a database should be set up and populated by all mobile providers Q1 2009. That would mean almost instantaneous porting of numbers on mobile networks by the end of September 2009.

That isn't fast enough for 3 UK's CEO, Kevin Russell, who wants the speedy swap over to be in place a year earlier - September 2008.

Ofcom's CEO, Ed Richards, pointed out that, "The UK was one of the first countries to introduce number portability and this has helped create a competitive mobile market in the UK."

However, did admit that the original process was now out-of-date. In particular, Ofcom is critical of the present system which is 'customer lead'.

Currently a subscriber looking to switch a telephone number to a new provider must first obtain a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from his or her current provider.

Ofcom then admits that consumers then have to wait up to five working days for their number to be transferred to the new network. Which is why so few of 3's customers have done so.

With the new regime, it will be up to the operators to drive the 'porting process' so it gets down to around about two hours.

3 still isn't too happy with Ofcom and is fighting the requirement that it should drop is 'termination charges' - the fees it charges rivals to connect to its network - through the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

The INQ has always recommended that subscribers swap their numbers over while on their annual holiday in July and August. That way you don't have to pay exorbitant 'roaming' charges either. µ

L'INQ
Ofcom