UK Regulator Demands Faster Mobile Number Portability Transfers
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- The UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom Tuesday proposed the launch of a centralized database to ensure that customers switching mobile phone networks are up and running on their new service within two hours.
Currently customers have to wait up to five working days to switch their number to a new network in the UK.
The telecoms watchdog said that it hoped to make it easier for mobile phone customers to switch to alternative suppliers, but said it would first embark on a two year consultation process. In the meantime, Ofcom is demanding the mobile switchover process is cut from five to two working days.
Ofcom is proposing the creation a central database where all fixed and mobile phone providers - including Vodafone Group, France Telecom's Orange, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile, Telefonica's O2 and Hutchison Whampoa's 3 - store details of transferred numbers.
By doing so Ofcom believes mobile operators should be able to switch numbers to new networks almost instantly, or within two hours.
"We believe that the industry should introduce a new system which will stimulate competition and encourage consumers to exercise choice between competing suppliers with a minimum of inconvenience," said Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards.
Company Web site: http://www.ofcom.org.uk
-By Daniel Thomas, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9264; dan.thomas@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires"
Posted to the site on 17th July 2007