We're still two weeks fresh into 2007 and the issue of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has finally reared its elusive head, after lying dormant for the whole of 2006. The Star reports that the long-awaited MNP implementation (long-awaited by consumers at least) will hit our airwaves as soon as June 2007.

What the hey is MNP you ask? MNP basically allows users to freely switch between cellular providers without giving up their current mobile number. If all goes according to plan, by June 2007 you could keep your current 012 number while using DiGi as your new mobile provider, for example.

MNP has been touted as a solution to the customer service woes faced by local mobile users; consumers could easily switch providers if they find their current provider to be, in scientific terms, crappy, as the barrier of losing their current mobile number has been removed.

Unfortunately, the history of MNP in Malaysia has been sputtering at best. Originally mooted in 2004, a public inquiry paper (warning: PDF link) was released by the MCMC on September 1 2005. Since then, little has been heard of it. A quick Google search turns up this October 2005 article from Mobile World, but nary else of note turns up in Google's record of Internet history.

Now that MNP is almost here, fingers crossed, we should be celebrating right? Not so quick. As noted in the Mobile World article, local mobile providers are free to impose charges for number porting (although RM10 seems fair to me). There's also the possibility of the dreaded bugaboo faced by mobile phone users in other countries finally arriving at our shores: the one-or-two-year lock-in contract.

I personally await June 2007 with mixed feelings. But would you change your mobile provider if given the chance?

Name: Ricardo Verdi	Comment: Where I live in Ireland it has been possible to change mobile provider & keep old number (including prefix) for a few years now. The trouble is, my provider offers reduced price calls + texts to others on the same network. But now we cannot tell from their number which network someone is on. They may have changed. So there are pros & cons.
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-22 07:28:34

Name: Will	Comment: This is a good news for all Malaysian. It creates competition among the service providers. It gives mobile users more options to switch for better service, coverage and of course $$$
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-21 19:28:23

Name: Stormer	Comment: MNP should be pushed through just for the sake of "Malaysia boleh!" We "boleh" everything, so we should show that we are on the forefront of technology and open markets with healthy competition. Let protectionism go and let the cards fall where they may, a level playing field for all.
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-18 11:14:38

Name: bent	Comment: this is very good news. i'd switch from maxis to digi even if i had to fork out up to rm500. maxis has been an arrogant bastard of a mobile provider for many years thinking they can do whatever they like just because they had a majority of the consumers. i urge all other maxis users to join other mobile providers if this MNP goes through. down with maxis!!
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-18 10:52:30

Name: chanlman

Comment: I would stay with current operator, i.e. maxis. Reason because of coverage and service. At least I get to call 123 for FREE and get problem resolved. The next operator of cos is digi, price fight, advertise BIG BIG, but coverage little bit. I think maybe more 016 numbers coming to maxis also... Anyway... MNP main aim is to satisfy customers need in terms of customer service, price and flexible package that we want.

Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-17 18:12:30

Name: kerek	Comment: huyo..cambest... then how bout billing???forpostpaid users, they have to update their current address selalu la... huwahahahahaha anyway...each of the phone operator has their own strategi and users..so dunno what im talking rite now la (now i tgh tingtong..!)
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-17 15:58:35

Name: KhairulFathi

Comment: Ive been living in South Korea for 6 years now They'd implemented this system about 3 years ago It seems very good system to me since local phone operators keep offering latest promotions and features to attract more customers 3G kinda old here :p And i easily switch to each other whenever i like However this only works the best with contract and postpaid only, not prepaid, or else people will use it wrongly

Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-17 00:22:00

Name: anti-suck	Comment: by that time, maxis and celcom will lose all the customers because of their suck service.
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-16 12:29:23

Name: carpathi	Comment: wat is ur current operator?
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-16 07:34:37

Name: Kao	Comment: Can't wait to see, but , contract bound? Nasty. I would see how hotlink,digi,celcom fight with the numbers issues.
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-16 03:22:49

Name: bobtiang	Comment: yes! finally i can try Digi after some long years with Hotlink. RM10 looks good to me. I don't mind pay for it to compensate others benefit offer by my next choice.
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-16 02:42:24

Name: carpathia	Comment: this is one piece of old tech ( japan and HK already have this 2-3 yrs ago). i cant wait for it and then i will switch operators!
Rated Article: Posted: 2007-01-15 17:10:04

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