Nigerian Networks to Launch MNP Services Next Week

­Nigeria's telecoms regulator has announced that Mobile Number Portability will go live in the country next week, and also a day earlier than originally planned.

MNP enables mobile telephone users to retain their numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another. MNP is implemented in different ways across the globe. The two providers in an MNP transaction are called the ‘Recipient’ (new provider) and the ‘Donor’(old provider).

How the MNP works, is that in the event that a customer feels dissatisfied with his service provider, he can indicate that he wants to port his number to another network, and within a specified number of days, that is supposed to happen. Then, when he ports to another network, he has 90 days before he can finally move to another network.

Mr Reuben Muoka, Head, Media and Public Relations of the Commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that contrary to the initial announcement of the launch on March 26, the regulatory body had finalised arrangements to begin the service a day earlier.

The initial launch will affect just the GSM networks, with CDMA networks required to offer MNP services later on this year.

Porting between GSM and CDMA networks is however not expected to be available for some time.

Customers seeking to port their numbers will also be required to re-verify their personal ID with the networks.