The telecom regulator has sought public opinion to introduce the mobile number portability (MNP) system for cell phone customers, what it claims the initiative as customers friendly. Issuing a statement recently the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) asked the customers to provide their feedback regarding the issue by December 20, 2014. Mobile phone users can provide their opinions by electronic mail to [email protected] or using postal services, addressing the BTRCs chairman within the timeframe. Currently, some 72 countries including the neighbouring India and Pakistan have already adopted the popular system for their customers, whereas Singapore is the pioneer in the field. The regulator said customers are enjoying better facilities and more services in those countries who already adopted the system as the operators have become more competitive to retain their clients. Talking to the FE, a top BTRC official said immediately after getting the recommendations from the end-users, the regulator will also sit with the mobile phone operators and telecom experts to get their views and proposals to implement the initiative. He claimed that the MNP system is beneficial for the customers as it gives them freedom to switch between mobile operators without changing their phone numbers for a certain minimal transfer fee. The official said considering the benefits, by middle of the last calendar year, the regulator had urged the countrys telecom operators to introduce the MNP system within next seven months that ended in January, 2014. However, the operators failed to make any progress within the deadline to implement the system. In addition, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) replied to the BTRC that it would be a costly and complex process for the operators. Establishment of the infrastructure for the MNP system might take 7-8 months in a country like Bangladesh where nothing is ready, the official said adding that the operators presented an unrealistic roadmap of 5 years and estimated the cost to be US$ 150 million for its implementation. However, the official underscored the need for properly addressing the commercial, technical and governance issues to make a viable solution to the issue. The commercial issue is mainly related to SIM tax payment while technical aspect matters with establishing network and governance with a common administration to run the service.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:40:18 +0000
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