The much-awaited mobile number portability (MNP) service is almost ready to serve the country’s mobile phone customers from August.
The assigned firm, Infozillion BD Teletech Consortium Limited (IBTCL), has connected mobile network operators (MNOs), public switched telephone network (PSTN) operators, and other operators, with the MNP platform.
IBTCL Managing Director Mabroor Hossain said the telecom regulator directed them to prepare by July 31 to offer the service in August.
“We will be fully prepared by July 20 to offer the much-awaited service to mobile phone customers,” he said.
Replying to a query, Mabroor said Robi and Banglalink have been fully connected to the MNP platform, while work is ongoing for market leader Grameenphone. Efforts to connect state-own Teletalk are yet to begin.
He, however, was optimistic about connecting Teletalk by July 20—as the telecom regulator directed the operator to connect with the MNP platform within the stipulated time.
“We will get a comprehensive result within 15 days as we will go to customer-centric trials next week,” said the IBTCL managing director.
On November 30 last year, the telecom regulator handed over the MNP license to the selected joint venture firm Infozillion BD Teletech Consortium Limited (IBTCL).
IBTCL, a joint venture of Infozillion BD Limited and Teletech DOO, Slovenia, was directed to provide the service within 180 days of obtaining the license.
About the delay, Mabroor Hossain said they completed their preparations related to the hardware and software two months ago.
Reluctant to blame anyone for the delay, he said: “MNOs, PSTNs, IGWs, ICXs, ANSs and other operators are involved with the process—that is why huge technical complexities are occurring in the system.”
According to the MNP guidelines, IBTCL had to port at least one percent of the mobile phone subscribers through the service by May this year (2018).
More than 72 countries have MNP, which increases competition among operators in terms of service quality, said officials.
Once the service is introduced, the mobile phone user can port to another operator retaining his/her number, unchanged, at Taka 30 plus VAT, and the process would take a maximum of 72 hours. If any user again wants to change operators, he/she has to wait 90 days.
Officials said the MNOs will be connected to the clearing house of IBTCL. When a user bids to deport, the concerned operator will share the information with the donor MNO through the clearing house. But, the MNOs are held up by the timing of deporting requests and: switch, reply, auto reply, and reply cancellation time—for deporting and a few other issues.
In addition, the MNOs have to customize their billing and IP system—along with other technical aspects.
