Alari Alare
24 November 2004
Nairobi — Cellphone subscribers in Kenya will next year be able to switch networks and retain their numbers.
Yesterday, the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) said it had selected Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) to manage mobile network swapping services.
KENIC start managing the mobile phone numbers database once the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) services is implemented in July 2005.
This will enable mobile phone subscribers to retain their telephone numbers once they switch from Safaricom to Celtel and the other way round.
CCK has indicated that KENIC, a company limited by guarantee would set and manage a centralized MNP Database to assist the mobile phone operators while carrying out porting of numbers.
"The Centralized Database Number Portability Administration shall be performed by the KENIC as a clearinghouse for number portability service," CCK says in a document titled, Regulations Governing Number Portability (2004).
"The date for the commencement of the Mobile Number Portability shall be July 1, 2005, while for the fixed telecommunications operators is July 1, 2006," CCK said.
CCK said the move is intended to enhance the level of competition in the communication sector and give the consumers a wider choice of service.
It would also enable subscribers to reap benefits accrued from technological development and innovations. It is further intended to reduce the inertia that ties customers from changing service providers.
"The commission has the obligation to introduce number portability in order to enhance competition in the sector. Therefore, unless a justifiable cause is shown to the contrary, the Commission intends to enforce the full implementation of number portability by June 30, 2005," CCK said.
The regulator will charge Sh1,000 to a subscribers who switch numbers across the network to deter them from moving unnecessary.
Implementation of the portability feature by the operators is likely to give the recently licensed Econet Wireless Kenya (EWK) a solid footprint in the market once they roll out.
"If it can be done by June next year, it will be a major feat," Zachary Wazara, managing director, Econet Wireless International (EWI), said last week.
Wazara said that his company is already in discussion with Safaricom and Celtel and would prefer a portability infrastructure that can be implemented without additional costs to the players.
The proposed strategy, he said that would enable customers move quickly top another provider immediately.
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