Communications ministry, mobile operators sign deal with on MNP servise
By Nigar Orujova
The Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technology Ministry signed an agreement with the Azerbaijani mobile operators-- Azercell, Bakcell and Azerfon --on application of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service.
MNP, which is implemented across the world, enables mobile telephone users to retain their phone numbers when changing a network operator. The two providers in an MNP transaction are called the 'Recipient' (new provider) and the 'Donor' (previous provider).
The ministry reported that the system will be coordinated by the Ministry's Information Computer Centre. Together with the project parties, the ministry already made a decision to set date for the activation of the MNP service.
Legal documents within the MNP service launching have been already adopted, necessary technical equipment has been installed in the operators' networks and the central base and tests have been carried out.
Number portability envisions full migration of a subscriber phone number with the operator's prefix by replacing the SIM card.
The replacement will take about six days, while returning to the previous operator will be possible in three months if the user has no debt.
MNP service will be launched simultaneously by three Azerbaijani mobile operators -- Azercell, Bakcell and Azerfon. Some operators have promised to make the service free.
Operators have been instructed to use a 10-digit set of subscriber numbers. So, it is necessary to dial the operator's prefix (050, 051, 055, 070 or 077) and the seven-digit phone number.
The introduction of the MNP service will allow the users to choose a provider as well as increase competition and prompt operators to provide more advantageous services to attract new customers.
The number portability service will be free of charge in the operators' networks. However, this service is not available for SIM-cards used in Data-cards.
One of the service pluses is that subscribers' will be informed on the network they are calling, as well as the internal calls' cost, as the call's prices in different networks vary.