Mobile Number Portability - Malaysian Perspective

In 2004, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (CMC) initiated the study on the feasibility of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) on Malaysia, it was only on the 1st September 2006 that CMC released the Public Inquiry Paper on the mandate for service the implementation. Following the release of the document, CMC gave an estimated deadline of 12 to 15 Months for operators to gear up and prepare themselves to comply with the mandated service. Industry players are called to participate in the Industry Working Group (led by CMC) to brainstorm, tabulate and present the processes and procedures for implementation, communication and support for the service.

Briefly, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is a service that offers a mobile subscriber to maintain their existing mobile numbers should they wish to change subscription to another operator. So, with this implementation, a 012-Maxis user can switch to Digi network and use its services while maintaining the 012 number.

Most will ask, what is the benefit for this service to the industry?

There are several direct benefits that could be presented and here are some of the partial list that could be highlighted :

- No lost of identity. Subscriber to a mobile service will be able to change his or her subscription without losing the number. This will ease the hassle of the subscriber directly by ensuring that his/her current contact list will still be able to call through. Circle of friends, business acquaintances and family will not be lost.
Also, no reprinting of business cards, advertising material, stationary and other administrative changes that needed to be address with the change of number.
Another added benefit, the subscribers are not bound to the unrealistic or expensive services imposed by the operator that they are on, with MNP, they can opt for other alternate operators that provide more suitable packages for their needs.

- Market place will be competitive. The number migration between netowrks will signal the liberation of the telecommunication market, it will then be considered as completely free market definition. Operators will be more competitive with the service offerings and improve network quality to ensure that their subscribers will not cancel the subscription and move on to the next operator. Subscribers will experience better and more attractive packages, higher customer service and support. In some considerations, value added network services such as hotspot (wi-fi) and freebies will be more apparent to nurture loyalty.

- Regulatory Efficiency. The number portability aspect will ensure efficient use of the numbering block assigned to operators by allowing the reassignments between operators and addressing number block shortages.

- Operators Benefits. With appropriate enhancement to the service portfolios, an operator could design their offerings to specific segment of the market and ensure the acquisition of the high ARPU users. The element of barrier on cross acquisition has been lifted and number block congestion is also ironed out.

With the outline benefits for all... there is only one thing to do...

Wait for the outcome of the service implementation process and procedures and the official launch by the commission in roughly 15 months?

In the meantime, I will update on the progress of the service through this blog when I could get access to it.