Network switching is free - NCC

STARTING from Monday, users of mobile lines in Nigeria can switch network subscription from one operator to another, using the same SIM card as the Nigeria Communications Commission(NCC) officially flagged off the much awaited Mobile Number Portability (MNP)scheme in Lagos yesterday.

The Commission said the portal switching is free and operator charging would be sanctioned.

MNP is a new technology in the telecommunication industry in the country that allows consumers of networks to move from a GSM network provider to another without carrying about several Sim Cards.

The Executive vice chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah in his welcome address said with the increasing growth of the Nigerian population, it became imperative for the body to make advancement on its part. “The vision of the commission is not only to provide access to telecommunication services to Nigerians at affordable cost but also to continue to provide the required stimulus and appropriate environment for the introduction of innovative services that will impact on quality telecommunication service delivery.”

He said since consumers complain about poor Quality of Service(QoS), thereby buy many Sim cards and changing numbers, they can now switch to other networks without changing their numbers. Juwah also said service providers would  be challenged to offer consumer friendly services and provide effective Quality of service(QoS). “Mobile Number Portability has been identified as one of such services that could further deepen the competition in the telecommunications market. With the growing reliance and dependency on mobile communications for our everyday socio-economic interactions, our mobile subscriber numbers have become our identity.”

According to him, consumers of telecommunications services will no longer need to acquire new numbers in order to move from one network to another network.

Director, Legal and Regulatory Services NCC, Josephine Amuwa said the MNP is free of charge and any operator caught charging consumers porting would be adequately sanctioned. “The advent of Mobile Number Portability in Nigeria will do away with the phenomenon of ‘Lock-in’ which is a principal obstacle to consumer choice, MNP gives consumers the choice of switching to service providers with better service.”