Stakeholders learn more about mobile number portability |22 April 2014

Stakeholders are learning more about mobile number portability through a five-day training course being organised this week by the Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT).

Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another. It is one service that the DICT - being the broadcasting and telecommunications regulator for Seychelles - would like to introduce in the Seychelles’ telecommunication market.

The training is being led by V. K Arya on behalf of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and is being attended by the telecommunication sector, Fair Trading Commission (FTC) and the department of ICT.

At the end of the course those taking part will be able to understand the implications of MNP and the key concepts and the dependencies related to MNP which is crucial for its successful implementation.

“This follows Seychelles’ successful migration from the six to seven digits numbering scheme in 2012 and one of its objectives was to make the numbering scheme conducive for number portability,” Paul Pierre of the DICT told Seychelles Nation.

“Number portability is a service which enhances competition and consumer satisfaction and eases consumer switching from one operator to another and is therefore an essential tool to increase competition in the telecommunication market here,” Mr Pierre added.

With the training as the first step in implementing the MNP, the DICT has not yet decided on a date to launch the MNP here.

After the training there will be consultation sessions with the stakeholders before any further decision is taken.