60,000 Telecom Subscribers Successfully Ported -NCC

Posted by African Examiner Business News, Latest Headlines Thursday, December 26th, 2013

Kayode Adelowokan, Lagos

Following the window of opportunity released to telecommunication subscribers in Nigeria by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) through the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) technology to dump their service provider for a better one, report have it that 60, 000, Nigerians had used the opportunity.

According to a report, only 60,000 subscribers out of the 110 million registered telecom subscribers had successfully port their lines since the technology was unveiled.

Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, released the report at the 11th edition of Consumer Town Hall meeting held at KY hotel hall, Ibadan, Oyo state, said the low patronage of MNP technology to non-understanding of the process and benefits by the consumers.

Itanyi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs, NCC, Dr Femi Atoyebi, said it has became necessary for the commission and operators to further enlighten subscribers on the benefit of the technology.

He acknowledged that the technology would help reduce tariffs considerably while promoting healthy competition in the industry.

The NCC chief noted that the most significant barrier to competition in the industry was the reluctance of subscribers to change their network when they are dissatisfied with services provided.

He also explained that the porting process was simple, free of charge and would be completed within a period of 48hours, adding that a neutral and efficient clearing house manages it.

The NCC boss said, “We wish to state that the commission will ensure that the tarrif platforms on all networks is transparent and emphasise that quality of service index on all networks published.

“This would be done through the media at regular intervals so as to guide subscribers in making an informed decision on the network to choose before migration.”

Itanyi however appealed to subscribers to register their lines, adding that the registration is the only prerequisite for a number to be ported using the MNP technology.