“The TRA expect around 20 per cent of the mobile telephony subscribers of the total number of mobile subscribers in the Kingdom of Bahrain will shift their numbers,” TRA Chairman Dr. Mohammed Al Amer told the press conference on Saturday.
“With the aim of providing consumers more flexibility in choosing a telecommunications service provider that suits their requirements, the TRA’s much anticipated Number Portability service, and the ability to move between operators and keep the same phone number, becomes a reality starting from Sunday July 17th for mobile telephony and for fixed telephony from 4 October 2011,” he said.
He announced that the number portability could be conducted an endless number of times and through a convenient consumer-oriented process.
“Number Portability is one of the initiatives that helps deliver the TRA vision of a communications environment that enriches the social and commercial fabric of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and enables innovative competition between service providers to improve quality of service as well as innovative service offerings and enhanced consumer experience,” he added.
“Starting from tomorrow, NP becomes a reality and the shift towards a consumer-centric telecom industry in Bahrain is born. The initiative was created to end any obstacles that consumers face when making decisions on competitive telecom operators. They will now enjoy the freedom to transfer their numbers freely, through a convenient process. Moreover, this service will help stimulate competition among telecommunications companies, breaking any form of monopoly, and serving the development of the local market,” he said.
“Offering flexibility and choice for consumers in selecting their telecommunications operators will drive competition, as operators focus on building loyalty as well as implementing truly customer-centric approaches to their business. This is a very important step for Bahrain that will boost competition in the mobile and fixed telephony markets,” the TRA’s newly appointed General Director Mohamed Bubashait said.
“We have taken into consideration international best practices in terms of both technical implementation as well as appointing the right partners through both transparent and objective processes. We are very excited about this significant milestone and expect a positive response from consumers,” he added.
Numbers can be moved as many times as a subscriber wishes, and at any time, including minutes after creating a new account or after already transferring to a different provider.
Number portability is ‘recipient-led’, where subscribers only need to contact the new operator. Once a subscriber decides to move, the old operator may not directly contact the subscriber, with the purpose of trying to convince the subscriber to return, for a period of 3 months.
Subscribers are still liable for outstanding dues and financial obligations, including subsidies and installments, to their old operator.
Porting takes place within 1-3 days for mobile, and 1-6 days for fixed telephony.
Maximum porting charges will be BD 4 for mobile and BD 6 for fixed telephony.
“We have created a system that prioritises ‘convenience’ for consumers. Numbers can be ported with ease and freedom. We look forward to creating a ripple effect of increased competition throughout the telecommunications market in Bahrain,” TRA’s ICT Director Ahmed Aldoseri, said while commenting on the implemented system for Number Portability.
“The Authority has certainly designed an award-winning framework for portability in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he added.
The Number Portability central system is being hosted by the Bahrain Internet Exchange (BIX), which facilitates the ease of access by all operators.