BTRC sets fresh MNP launch deadline Oct 1

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday set fresh deadline on October 1 for the launch of much-awaited mobile number portability.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of Telecommuni-cations Division and BTRC in the capital yesterday.

The previous deadline was July 31, 2018.

Managing Director of Infozillion BD, Mabroor Hossain told The Independent last week that the company who obtained licence to launch the service is only waiting for the green signal from BTRC to launch the service across the country.  The Three mobile operators—Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink—have already completed their preparations for launching the service, but Teletalk is yet to finish its preparation, he said.

Earlier, Infozillion had planned to move in line with the BTRC-set deadline (May 30), the launch was delayed mainly due to opposition of the mobile phone operators. BTRC extended the deadline and said the commercial launch of MNP service would begin on July 31 this year. The previous deadline was May 30, 2018.

BTRC Chairman (acting) Jahurul Haque said that they are optimistic of launching the MNP service as per the stipulated deadline.

“Our division concerned is working to introduce the MNP operation in time,” he added.

Earlier, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the ICT adviser to the Prime Minister, had directed the ministry concerned to complete all preparations for this service within July 31 to prevent any delay. In February, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) sought a couple of months for adopting the technology needed for the service. The BTRC, however, did not grant the AMTOB its request.  Later, it was alleged that mobile phone operators were trying to prevent the launch of the MNP service.

Following this, the AMTOB said: “As a customer-centric industry, mobile network operators (MNOs) are very keen to facilitate their customers in choosing the operator of their choice by availing the MNP service. Just like many other countries of the world, we strongly believe our customers deserve to enjoy this freedom.”

More than 72 countries have the MNP service, which increases competition among operators in terms of service quality.

Mobile phone subscribers will have the privilege to switch to other operators while retaining their existing phone numbers after the service is launched.

 

BTRC sets fresh MNP launch deadline Oct 1

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday set fresh deadline on October 1 for the launch of much-awaited mobile number portability. The decision was taken at a joint meeting of Telecommuni-cations Division and BTRC in the capital yesterday. The previous deadline was July 31, 2018. Managing Director of Infozillion BD, Mabroor Hossain told The Independent last week that the company who obtained licence to launch the service is only waiting for the green signal from BTRC to launch the service across the country. The Three mobile operatorsGrameenphone, Robi and Banglalinkhave already completed their preparations for launching the service, but Teletalk is yet to finish its preparation, he said. Earlier, Infozillion had planned to move in line with the BTRC-set deadline (May 30), the launch was delayed mainly due to opposition of the mobile phone operators. BTRC extended the deadline and said the commercial launch of MNP service would begin on July 31 this year. The previous deadline was May 30, 2018. BTRC Chairman (acting) Jahurul Haque said that they are optimistic of launching the MNP service as per the stipulated deadline. Our division concerned is working to introduce the MNP operation in time, he added. Earlier, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the ICT adviser to the Prime Minister, had directed the ministry concerned to complete all preparations for this service within July 31 to prevent any delay. In February, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) sought a couple of months for adopting the technology needed for the service. The BTRC, however, did not grant the AMTOB its request. Later, it was alleged that mobile phone operators were trying to prevent the launch of the MNP service. Following this, the AMTOB said: As a customer-centric industry, mobile network operators (MNOs) are very keen to facilitate their customers in choosing the operator of their choice by availing the MNP service. Just like many other countries of the world, we strongly believe our customers deserve to enjoy this freedom. More than 72 countries have the MNP service, which increases competition among operators in terms of service quality. Mobile phone subscribers will have the privilege to switch to other operators while retaining their existing phone numbers after the service is launched.