Number Portability Dispute in the UKs Channel Islands
Jersey Telecom Group, which owns Wave Telecom, is calling for the UK's Channel Islands to work together on Mobile Number Portability (MNP). Guernsey's regulator, the Office of Utility Regulation (OUR), is scheduled to launch a detailed consultation on MNP to analyse its potential impact and explore the most effective way to introduce it to the Guernsey market.
In contrast, Jersey's regulator, the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA), is pushing for operators to sign contracts with MNP equipment suppliers - even though JT believe that the full specification and costs of the JCRA's proposed solution have not been defined.
Jersey Telecom Group is so unhappy about the way the process has been handled in Jersey that it has written to the JCRA to tell them that its timescales and process are unrealistic and unworkable and that JT will be withdrawing from the MNP process.
In response, the JCRA has commenced enforcement proceedings against JT for failing to comply with its direction on MNP.
"We know that many customers would like to be able to keep their number when they switch mobile provider", says Wave's Managing Director Tim Ringsdore. "What we are saying is that with the same operators in both islands, it makes sense for the Islands to work together and introduce a system that covers both Bailiwicks. The JCRA has gone racing ahead and we're concerned that customers in Guernsey may miss out as a result. We know that Bharti also want MNP in both Islands, but Cable and Wireless only want it to support their new business in Jersey and have been firmly opposing its introduction in Guernsey ever since Wave entered the market. With MNP likely to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to introduce, we think it is common sense for the Islands to work together and share a solution, something which Wave Telecom would fully support".
The Jersey Telecom Group's decision to suspend participation in the JCRA process does not affect the forthcoming OUR consultation process, in which Wave Telecom plans to participate fully.
"We think the full consultation process proposed by the OUR is a better way forward, and would urge the JCRA to follow Guernsey's lead" added Mr Ringsdore."
Posted to the site on 30th October 2006
