MNP likely to start in next January

State minister for telecom, Tarana Halim, announced yesterday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has finalised the draft guidelines for Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which would be implemented from January 2016 onwards. Under this scheme, subscribers will be able to switch to their preferred operator without changing their phone numbers.
Halim also said: “We are trying to start MNP by December. It is hardly likely that it will take time till January.”
Though the operators have raised some questions as to how subscribers would avail of their available internet balance or how the previous operator would get the arrear postpaid bills if the subscriber opts for a new operator, Halim told The Independent that these would not be major problems, as she would discuss the issues at a meeting with the operators today.
Halim also said she was unable to mention a particular date regarding MNP as the finance ministry is also involved in this issue. The government will float an open third party tender to launch MNP, she disclosed.
Operators welcome MNP decision:
Grameenphone’s chief corporate affairs officer, Mahmud Hossain, told The Independent, “We welcome the government’s decision to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The objective of MNP is to provide consumers the freedom to choose an operator of their choice. Hence, the number portability process should turn out to be friendly for both the consumers and the operators. However, as we are yet to know the details of the process, we are unable to comment any further.”
Ekram Kabir, vice president (communications and corporate responsibility) of Robi Axiata, told The Independent, “Robi welcomes the approval of the guidelines. However, we would like to request the government to allow the operators time necessary for technological adaptation.”
A statement by Banglalink said, “MNP is a good initiative and we believe this will be beneficial to consumers and give them easier and better choices. We can assess the time needed for introduction of the service after we complete the overall planning for this project.”
Airtel’s spokesperson said to The Independent, “Airtel Bangladesh Limited welcomes the government’s decision on MNP. We believe this will improve the level of customer service and will have a positive impact on customers and on the overall telecom industry.”

MNP likely to start in next January

State minister for telecom, Tarana Halim, announced yesterday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has finalised the draft guidelines for Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which would be implemented from January 2016 onwards. Under this scheme, subscribers will be able to switch to their preferred operator without changing their phone numbers. Halim also said: We are trying to start MNP by December. It is hardly likely that it will take time till January. Though the operators have raised some questions as to how subscribers would avail of their available internet balance or how the previous operator would get the arrear postpaid bills if the subscriber opts for a new operator, Halim told The Independent that these would not be major problems, as she would discuss the issues at a meeting with the operators today. Halim also said she was unable to mention a particular date regarding MNP as the finance ministry is also involved in this issue. The government will float an open third party tender to launch MNP, she disclosed. Operators welcome MNP decision: Grameenphones chief corporate affairs officer, Mahmud Hossain, told The Independent, We welcome the governments decision to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The objective of MNP is to provide consumers the freedom to choose an operator of their choice. Hence, the number portability process should turn out to be friendly for both the consumers and the operators. However, as we are yet to know the details of the process, we are unable to comment any further. Ekram Kabir, vice president (communications and corporate responsibility) of Robi Axiata, told The Independent, Robi welcomes the approval of the guidelines. However, we would like to request the government to allow the operators time necessary for technological adaptation. A statement by Banglalink said, MNP is a good initiative and we believe this will be beneficial to consumers and give them easier and better choices. We can assess the time needed for introduction of the service after we complete the overall planning for this project. Airtels spokesperson said to The Independent, Airtel Bangladesh Limited welcomes the governments decision on MNP. We believe this will improve the level of customer service and will have a positive impact on customers and on the overall telecom industry.