Intense competition among network operators to attract and retain subscribers would certainly take centre stage as operators conclude plans to implement number portability, NP. Already, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the initiator of the scheme, has set September 2010 as deadline for the implementation of the programme, which allows dissatisfied subscribers to change their service providers without changing their telephone numbers. It gives subscribers the freedom to move from one GSM network to the other, without necessarily changing their subscriber identification module, SIM, cards or altering their numbers.

The commission disclosed, last week, that following approval by the federal government, a machinery has been set up to ensure that NP is smoothly implemented by all operators before the end of September. The NCC said it has already retained the services KPMG Consultancy Services as consultants for the development of regulatory and technical framework for NP across all networks. The consultant has commenced work and would soon be meeting with industry representatives hence, the NCC enjoined all operators, particularly mobile operators, to accord maximum cooperation to the consultant both in terms of information and data requests to ensure a successful implementation.

The commencement of work on the NP project by the consultant last week, is expected to trigger another round of stiff competition in the industry, where the emphasis of service providers would be quality service delivery and perhaps, tariff reduction. Quality service and pocket-friendly tariff are core in the ability of an operator to retain and attract subscribers when NP

becomes fully operational. The NCC said that much when it disclosed that “upon full implementation, NP shall serve to remove barriers to the free choice of service provider by a subscriber, ensure further increase in the level of open competition among network operators, and act as an incentive for service providers to improve quality of service and consumer satisfaction.”

Ernest Ndukwe, former executive vice chairman, NCC, and the initiator of the programme, had earlier expressed optimism that NP would help reduce the complaints of poor quality of service on the network of certain operators as subscribers would have the opportunity to change networks at will. According to him, NP would force operators to reduce their tariffs and improve the quality of service since the monopoly over subscribers would be removed. This means that a subscriber, who feels shortchanged by the quality of service he is getting from his service provider or the tariff he is paying but is afraid to loose his number if he switches to another network can now do so and still retain his original number.

For instance, a subscriber on the network of Zain could switch from the network if he is not happy with the quality of service he is getting and move to MTN network within the same geographical location and still retain his Zain number. If after some time Zain upgrades its network and service quality improves, the subscriber could decide to return to his original network (Zain). In the same vain, a Globacom subscriber could switch from the network and move over to either Zain or Etisalat while retaining his Globacom number.

Perhaps, more importantly is the fact that t

the idea of carrying more than one telephone line would cease and subscribers would maintain just one handset with one line and switch from one network to another, remain with the network for some time, and return again to their original network, without the need to change SIM cards or carry multiple phones. NP is particularly important to business subscribers and organisations that need consistency for their contact details. Okechukwu Maduako, an MTN subscriber, told the magazine that full implementation of NP would position the consumer as king and also keep operators on their toes.

Dave Imoko, head, public affairs, NCC, described NP as a ‘win-win-proposition to all telecoms stakeholders.’ He said that for subscribers, it offers freedom to choose network providers while maintaining the same identity. On the other hand, operators, he noted, would be offered opportunities to acquire new subscribers and generate higher average revenue per user with new services. The regulator also stands to benefit since the regime constitutes the cornerstone of fair competition among GSM companies by removing a key obstacle for subscribers, who would more easily change service providers without having to notify all their friends and contacts of a number change.

Interestingly, NP enjoys the support of operators. When it was first introduced in 2007, the operators described it as a welcome development which was in line with global practise. They, however, asked for more time to upgrade their facilities before its implementation. Their argument was that they needed to build a robust network, have a strong and dependable interconnect system in place a

and also have a common understanding of the billing method and revenue sharing style. They pointed out, for instance, that it took South Africa 12 years to implement NP after the launch of GSM in 1994. The United Kingdom, UK also introduced NP many years after the launch of its GSM.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, said that the idea of NP was a welcome development. He, however, added that the issues surrounding it were challenging. While saying that the implementation of NP is necessary, he said that operators should be given enough time because of some technical issues that needed to be addressed. “The issue of NP goes beyond a plug and play issue and a lot of technical matters have to be resolved before its eventual implementation,” he said, pointing out that operators have to agree on issues such as revenue sharing, interconnectivity, data flow, billing methods and robust infrastructure. “Technically, NP is challenging and operators have to be technically ready for the rollout of one NP,” Ahmad Farroukh, chief executive officer, MTN, also noted.

For instance, a telecoms engineer told the magazine that existing switching equipment of operators are programmed to recognise a number from a particular network. The engineer, who declined to be mentioned, said that now that the NCC has commenced the process of implementation of NP to allow subscribers freedom to move to another network with a number not recognised by the equipment, it means that GSM companies have to re-programme their operations. He, however, said that it is not clear whether operators hav

have been able to carry out the facility upgrades necessary for the implementation of NP before the NCC came up with the September deadline.

He, however, added that since the implementation of NP is an exercise that requires the full corporation of operators, the next five months would still be enough for Stephen Bello, the acting EVC of the NCC to work with operators to ensure full compliance rather than delaying it further on account of operators’ unpreparedness.

 

Ndukwe: Optimistic NP would reduce poor quality service

Imoko: Describes NP as a win-win proposition

Adebayo: Sees NP as a welcome development

Farroukh: NP is challenging

Bello, acting executive vice-chairman, NCC