MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY “Frequently Asked Questions”

1. What is “Mobile Number Portability”?
Mobile Number Portability is a service that enables you to keep your mobile phone number when changing from one mobile service provider to another. So, if you switch between service providers, you do not have to go through the trouble of informing all your friends, family, colleagues and other contacts because your number stays the same.

2. Who can use the system?
Mobile Number Portability is available to both “Pre-Paid” (Pay As You Go) and “Post-Paid” mobile customers in Nigeria.

3. Who can provide this service?
Mobile Number Portability will initially be available among the GSM mobile operators: MTN, GLOBACOM, ETISALAT, and AIRTEL.

4. When will porting become available on the CDMA and Fixed line Networks?
NCC has adopted a phased approach to the launch of Mobile Number Portability service in Nigeria. The process to port to CDMA networks will begin as soon as the GSM porting process is completed and launched.

5. What type of phone number can be ported?
Any mobile number on the GSM network can be ported irrespective of the type of service it is been used for (e.g. voice, data, gps tracking etc).

6. Where do I have to go to port my number?
Customers should go to the customer care office, retail shop or outlet of their chosen new provider and me with the authorised sales person to request to port their number.
Porting can only be undertaking by visiting the customer care office, retail shop or authorised dealer of your chosen new service provider and is not available by telephone, online or other electronic means). Please do not terminate your service with your existing service provider before initiating porting with the new service provider.

7. What time of the day will the porting service be available by the operator?
The porting service will be available when your new service operator’s store/outlet/sales point is open to customers.

8. What do I have to do to port?
You will be required to complete a Port Request Form. You will also be asked to send a text message with the word “PORT” to a shortcode “3232. Assistance will be made available if required.

Source: http://www.technologyavenue.com.ng/2013/04/mobile-number-portability-frequently-asked-questions/

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