Mobile Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) was finally implemented last Friday (29 August 2008) after being taunted about for quite some time. And actually most people aren't convinced about its implementation after some delaying to it. Now, mobile phone users have the freedom to switch network service providers, while retaining their existing phone number. Therefore, from now on, no longer will the prefixes of 016 solely be that of a DiGi subscriber, or 019 be that of a Celcom number.

The initial service will be offered to Prepaid subscribers from 29 August onwards, while those on Postpaid lines will be able to join in the fun from 15 September onwards. As this limited service is launched in the Klang Valley, only selected branches or service centres your requests. The details of the branches can be referred at http://www.skmm.gov.my/

The nationwide launch for the MNP service will be in early October. Prior to the nationwide launch, each telco is only allowed to process 100 MNP applications a day. There will be a RM25 charge everytime the MNP is used to switch to a new telco. Prepaid credit will not be transferred over to your new service provider, so if you are planning to switch, finish up your credit balance 1st!

While MNP will certainly intensify competition and increase the value of the consumer's money, one problem remain is the inability of the consumers to plan their spending.

For example, as the rate for calling different network is higher than to same network, so when a person, with credit balance of 15 sen, decided to call to someone on the same network (that is according to prefix), but only found out that he/she had change network when he is being cutted off, therefore is unable to get his message across. This uncertainty is surely not good for consumers, unless the rate be made standardized, irrespective of network provider.