September 14, 2006
What Is Mobile Phone Number Portability?
While others are frustrated with their inability to move their VoIP, phone, or cellular numbers to a new provider, and industry steering committee in South Africa is asking their telecom regulator to delay their MNP mandate [Cellular News].
MNP, or Mobile Number Portability, would require changes in telecom company business practices. Such practices would, in this case, allow customers to port (move) their cell phone numbers with essential ease.
I think that we'll see more and more countries bringing about MNP regulations. In fact, it probably behooves cellular operators and providers to participate, to get started now, if they don't want to see a mass migration towards VoWiFi-only (VoIP over Wi-Fi) phones. While that's not a reality just yet in most cities, the increasing number of municipal Wi-Fi projects (free or otherwise) is going to help.
Personally, I think dual-mode cellular/ VoWiFi phones are going to boom in sales when that happens. So users would get a cellular signal in areas without Wi-Fi Internet access, and VoIP calling otherwise. If number portability is in place in those areas with muni Wi-Fi, then everyone wins.
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