Ref: 66/01
Date: 2 October 2001

New arrangements that make it quicker and easier for consumers to keep their mobile phone number when changing to a different network provider have been welcomed today by Oftel.

The four mobile network operators, BT Cellnet, One2One, Orange and Vodafone, have introduced a new automated system which dramatically cuts the time it takes to transfer numbers from twenty-five days to as little as seven days. Consumers can also choose the date on which they wish to transfer their number.

Number portability enables consumers to take advantage of different deals on alternative networks without the inconvenience of having to change their mobile phone number.

Chris Kenny, Oftel’s Director of Regulatory Policy, said today:

"Oftel challenged the industry to improve the process for mobile number portability and I am pleased the new arrangements are now fully operational. It is now much easier for consumers to switch mobile network operators while keeping their mobile telephone number.

"This clearly shows that self-regulation by the industry is starting to deliver real benefits to consumers, enabling them to make the most of the competitive deals on offer.

"We expect the industry to similarly respond to the challenge to improve service further as set out in our mystery shopper survey published in July."

Notes to editors:

1. For further information about the new mobile porting arrangements, please contact Frank Stuart-Brown, Chairman of Mobile Number Portability Focus Group on 07010 700 121, or Neil Holroyd on the same telephone number.

2. Oftel issued a press release earlier in the year (see www.oftel.gov.uk/press/releases/2001/pr48_01.htm) that gave further details of the new porting arrangements and the mystery shopper survey.

3. Mobile public telecommunication operators’ licenses require them to provide mobile portability to other operators on a reciprocal basis. This regulatory obligation came into force on 1 January 1999 and enables consumers to keep their mobile phone number when switching between suppliers. UK customers were the first in the world to be able to do this. Since then, nearly a million mobile numbers have been ported.

4. Mobile phone companies initially put in place a fax based process to support mobile number portability as such a system was inclusive of all mobile airtime service providers and did not involve significant investment at a point when the demand for portability could not be accurately predicted. The industry recognised at a fairly early stage that a fax based process would need to be replaced by a faster, more reliable and robust system and has been working toward an electronic system for a considerable period of time.

5. Oftel awaits all the mobile operators’ responses setting out the action they plan to take following the mystery shopping exercise. Oftel will assess what, if any, further action might be needed in the light of those responses.

6. Oftel’s strategy is one of ‘appropriate regulation’. Appropriate regulation means regulation adjusted to the level of competition in the market and focused on the area of concern. Too much regulation, as well as too little regulation, can work against consumers’ interests by deterring investment and innovation.