Number Portability Affects Call Charges

Irelands telecoms regulator, Comreg says that the introduction of Mobile Number Portability has made a very positive impact on competition for the Irish mobile subscriber. To date over 66,000 consumers have ported their numbers.

The introduction of MNP does mean that the mobile prefix that a customer dials is no longer the definitive indicator of the network the customer is calling. As such ComReg initiated a process of consultation to identify the optimum solution to address this issue of tariff transparency. ComReg has reviewed a range of options to ensure that the needs of the consumer are met in this regard and are balanced with the technical obligations placed on industry. ComReg has concluded while that the current solutions continue to meet the needs of the consumer, no further action is appropriate at this time. ComReg says that it will continue to monitor the situation and work with industry to deliver tariff transparency for the consumer.

The introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) means that the network prefix which a customer dials when making a mobile call is no longer a means to identify the network being called e.g. the 087 mobile prefix does not necessarily mean that the customer is on the Vodafone network. This has created an issue of tariff transparency for customers who are no longer aware when they are making an on-net or off-net call, where off-net mobile-to-mobile calls are charged at significantly higher rates by mobile operators. In October 2003, ComReg issued a consultation paper, ComReg 03/121, "Addressing the impact of Mobile Number Portability on user awareness of calls to other networks" which outlined the options to address the tariff transparency issue.

In ComReg 03/149, "Response to Consultation addressing the impact of Mobile Number Portability on user awareness of calls to other networks" ComReg outlined the optimum solution for MNP Tariff Transparency as the introduction of an opt-in tone solution which was applicable to all off-net calls and uniform across all networks. The two draft directions required the mobile network operators to introduce a permanent technical solution which should be in place on or before 31st December 2004. In addition, mobile operators were also required to submit a detailed implementation plan on the solution on or before 31st January 2004. All interested parties were invited to comment on the specifics of the draft direction in advance of a final direction being issued.

In responding to the consultation, all of the mobile operators have supported the introduction of a common solution which would be implemented uniformly across industry. However, new information has also been provided by the mobile operators, which has indicated that there are specific technical issues surrounding the implementation of the draft direction as stated in ComReg 03/149. The technical concerns that have been outlined by the operators indicate that the implementation of the draft direction would not represent a proportionate measure at this time. In the responses, the mobile operators have also expressed confidence that the solutions they are providing at present are meeting the needs of consumers in relation to tariff transparency. This assertion is further supported by the experience of the ComReg consumer line which has seen a significant reduction in the number of complaints on this issue in the last few months. As such ComReg does not consider it appropriate to issue the draft direction at this time.

However, ComReg will continue to monitor and review the situation with respect to the level of consumer satisfaction with the current solutions. As the volume of ports increases over time, end user issues may become more pronounced and ComReg may intervene at a later stage."

Posted to the site on 9th February 2004