Introducing mobile number portability services
Move awaits PM approval
The Post and Telecommunication Division under the post and telecommunications ministry has sent a draft proposal to the Prime Ministers Office on mobile number portability (MNP) services for final approval.
The MNP facilities allow the mobile telephone users to switch their mobile phone operator from one to another keeping the existing mobile phone number intact.
Once approved by the prime minister, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) would be directed to implement the proposal, State Minister for post and telecommunication ministry, Tarana Halim said.
The premier currently holds the portfolio of the post and telecommunications ministry.
Tarana Halim said her ministry has okayed the BTRC proposal to introduce the MNP services in the country. However, the matter will also have to be vetted by the finance ministry, she added.
The mobile phone subscribers will benefit from the MNP services. We are willing to introduce the services and the prime ministers ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy is also prioritising the issue. Once introduced, the services will contribute to the dream of building a digital Bangladesh, she said.
Asked when the subscribers can enjoy the MNP services, the state minister said the mobile phone subscribers will be able to enjoy the facilities soon. We will be able to finalise everything for introducing the services once we receive the file from the PMs office, she added.
Earlier, on June 10, BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam told The Independent that they had sent the draft of the proposal to the Post and Telecommunication Division for finalisation.
Meanwhile, Grameenphone (GP), the leading telecommunication operator in the country, has objected to the move of implementing the MNP services for subscribers, according to the minutes of the 182nd meeting of the BTRC held in April.
However, the same meeting observed that the mobile telecom operators agreed to introduce the MNP services while renewing their licences in 2012, and opposing the MNP decision now is tantamount to opposing the licensing guidelines.
Although Grameenphone did not issue any official response in this regard, some officials of the BTRC said the operator is involved in spreading propaganda on the MNP services.
The BTRC secretary said the regulator is waiting for the ministry approval on the MNP.
Introducing the MNP services is essential for ensuring quality of service, the official added.
Earlier, in May, the BTRC prepared a draft guideline for appointing a third party for launching the MNP services in the country, with a maximum 72-hour porting time.
On May 27, the BTRC sent a letter to the post and telecommunication ministry in this regard, said a senior BTRC official.
Once the draft guideline is approved by the ministry, a third party will be appointed to launch the MNP service.
The commission will provide licence to a company for a 15-year period.
The proposed licence acquisition fee is Tk 3 crore and the annual licence fee is Tk 50 lakh. The BTRC has proposed Tk 3 crore as security money and Tk 10 lakh as application fee for getting the licence. But the cost of getting the MNP services will be fixed during the pre-auction process, according to the commissions proposal at its 182nd meeting.
