Boost for Mobile Operators As Hong Kong Permits Fixed to Mobile Portability

Hong Kong's Telecommunications Authority has announced that telecommunications operators may provide the Fixed Mobile Number Portability ("FMNP") service on a voluntary basis.

A study carried out last year found that if the FMNP service was available for free, 25% of residential line users and 26% of business line users would opt for porting their fixed numbers to mobile networks.

"At present, a subscriber may port his fixed telephone number from one fixed network to another fixed network, and his mobile telephone number from one mobile network to another mobile network. However, number porting across mobile and fixed networks is not possible. If the FMNP service is in place, fixed or mobile service users may port their numbers to a fixed or a mobile network of their choice," a spokesperson of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) said.

"The TA's view is that the introduction of the FMNP service will provide a level playing field for mobile and fixed operators, promote cross-platform competition, and meet the need of those consumers who see a need for such a service. Moreover, the FMNP service is conducive to the more efficient use of telephone numbers, which is a scarce public resource . In deciding that the FMNP service may be provided by operators on a voluntary basis, the TA has duly considered the public demand for the FMNP service, overseas experience in similar services and the feedback received in response to a public consultation on the subject," the spokesperson said.

"Whether and when the FMNP service will be available in the market will be a commercial decision of the operators. Under the voluntary scheme, operators who wish to implement the FMNP service may collaborate with one another and negotiate the terms and conditions for collaboration on a commercial basis," continued the spokesperson.

Posted to the site on 10th July 2009