Nairobi — Initial projections made by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) in 2004 was that mobile and fixed line users would be able to switch networks and retain their numbers by July 2006.

Yet millions of consumers continue to be tied in mobile telephony networks they have lost love for because they cannot move to the more efficient network without losing their treasured numbers.

In Kenya, the mobile phone has become a tool of business for the small and medium scale enterprises. So portability is important. A business trapped in a bad network can cost the economy heavily.

CCK has at last advertised for a consultant to kick-start the process. Our hope is that the process will not be hijacked by anti-competitive forces, who stand to benefit more from the status quo at the expense of quality services and efficiency.

The Government must be acutely aware that without number portability, real competition in the industry will remain a mirage. So will innovation and investment in better products.

CCK must put into consideration the whole point of number portability when setting up a service provider for number portability. It must balance the need for the networks owning the line to be compensated for their investment and allowing painless movement within the networks. Besides, CCK must ensure portability is a reality this time round.