Mobile Number Portability in Pakistan

Mobile network portability (MNP) is simply the transferring of mobile network operator without changing the mobile number. It enables mobile telephone users to keep their in use number same but change their mobile network. This is the most convenient way to change the network as one doesn't want to change his/her number but want to enjoy other network services. Most of the business holders avoid changing their number but if they want to change their network they can do it by MNP. MNP is utilizing across the world in different ways. 'Recipient-led' porting is implemented as international and European standard. In this the customer wants to port his/her number to contact the new provider (recipient) who will then arrange the necessary process with the old provider (donor).
MNP system is not implemented in United Kingdom. Here the 'Donor-Led' system is implemented. In this system the customer who wants to change his/her network is required to contact the donor to obtain the Porting Authorizing Code (PAC) which he/she has to give to the recipient. Once he/she received the PAC the recipient continues the port process by contacting the donor. This system is somehow inefficient and some industry analysts criticize this system because of its customer deterrent nature. It gives the donor an opportunity of winning back the customer as a result the perversion of competition in the market is observed. Many mobile operators providing MNP service also provide number lock up service.
MNP service has first started in the countries such as United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong and United States but most recently it has been introduced in many South Asian countries two of which are Singapore, Taiwan. In 2007, this service is also introduced in Pakistan. There are many factors responsible for the successes of MNP among these are
• Increase in number of mobile subscribers.
• Increase in number of mobile network operators operating in a zone.
• Total time taken for a number port.
• Total cost that is charged by the operators onto a customer for number port.
Keynote institutional research and frost and Sullivan has reported a survey that MNP effectively work in South Korea and Hong Kong but in Taiwan, Singapore and Japan its has unremarkable progress.
Advance economy has discovered that MNP has helps the economy to grow. Many countries in advanced economy have passed the regulations for the mobile network operators to implement the MNP system compulsory.