An Insight into Mobile Number Portability

Mobile number portability helps mobile telephone users to hold on to and use their existing mobile phone number when changing their network provider. Number portability can be a boon or a curse depending on how you look at it and what your needs are. For some, changing their mobile numbers every time they change their mobile network operator is a hassle. They will have to send their new number to everyone in their contact list to inform them about the change. Sometimes sending your number to everyone, particularly if your contact list is large can be very troublesome.

Here’s where mobile number portability comes in. Using the number portability option will enable you to keep the same number you have right now, even if you change your service operator. But the implementation of MNP (Mobile Number Portability) is different in the various different parts of the globe. For instance, the European user will have to contact the new provider to arrange for the necessary process with the old provider. This process is called Recipient-Led porting. The new provider is the Recipient whereas the old provider is the Donor. India is the latest country to join the number portability bandwagon using the recipient led porting system.

On the other hand, the process of mobile number portability in the U.K is quite different as any individual who wishes to port their number will have to get a porting authorization code from the old provider and pass it on to the new one. The new provider will then arrange for the porting of the user’s mobile phone number. This process is called Donor-Led porting. But unfortunately this process has been criticized by some for being inefficient.

Mobile number portability unfortunately also has its disadvantages. When using the number portability facility, one has to get in contact with both the old and new service provider and has to go through various clerical formalities. This process can be frustrating especially since some countries take a number of days to complete the process. Some countries are very efficient in their approach and will finish the process in a matter of a few seconds or minutes whereas others take as long as a week.

But Mobile number portability surely cannot be dismissed as being troublesome as it still offers plenty of convenient and comfortable uses. Countries that have high populations like India or China can find many benefits to this concept as they have millions of cell phone users. But no matter how you look at it, one cannot deny the benefits provided by the concept of mobile number portability to cell phone users everywhere.

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