TRCSL says preliminary work initiated on mobile number portability

Ashok Peiris Tuesday, 25 August 2020 11:23 AM

This is great news! The very first thing I will do is get rid of Dialog as my provider and switch to a more reliable service.

Reply

Vernon Weeratunge Wednesday, 26 August 2020 09:25 AM

Not only SARC countries, it is better to know what other countries have done compared to Sri Lanka. MNP is available in over 110 countries worldwide and in many countries over 50% of numbers have been ported. SLTRC started this move in 2010. It will take another decade to implement MNP by SLTRC. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka there is not even cabinet Minister for Digital Technology , Telecommunications and ICT.

Reply

Dilrukshi Gamalathge Wednesday, 26 August 2020 06:19 PM

TRCSL neglected to provide an estimated time frame for the move, and stakeholders reports that the swiftness of introducing MNP to Sri Lanka could be described as unfriendly. The TRC regulator first considered the idea in 2008 before asking for consulting firms for input on the required regulations in 2010. Now We heard that new TRCSL Director General Oshada Senanayake is an Viyathmaga IT Expert. It is fortunate that MNP move is expected to offer the customer the democratisation of mobile phone number without being locked up to a particular service provider and help fight monopolistic practices of mobile operators.

Reply

Bernard Fernando Thursday, 27 August 2020 06:56 AM

We are late in many technology issues similar to MNP compared to other jurisdictions. In my opinion, TRC shall have persons to be appointed as members of the Chairman and Board of are fit and proper and have relevant knowledge, demonstrated experience and expertise in telecommunications and broadcasting, finance and accounting, law, economics, competition and consumer affairs functions.

Reply

Terry de Abrew Thursday, 27 August 2020 07:16 AM

TRC shall obtain the widest possible range of views and the most informed of submissions through a Public consultation process. To achieve transparency, it is important that the public and stakeholders can make their views known, that they are confident that their views have been considered, and that everyone has access to all submissions via TRC website. Please be informed that there is something call cost-benefit analysis , the number of parties potentially affected by a decision, the impact on the marketplace and, most importantly, the consequences on the mobile consumers as well as Mobile operators.

Reply

Dilini Neelaweera Thursday, 27 August 2020 07:29 AM

Important telecom regulatory issues affecting all stakeholders and/or the general public may require extensive debate. In such instances, it would be better that the TRC shall proposes undertaking public hearings whereby parties will be invited to submit written comments and evidence. Then, all such submissions will have be placed on the public record. The ability to make views and comments and submissions ensures that all views are fully expressed, full analysis has to takes place and that the TRC may arrives at the best decision possible via a transparency procedure.

Reply

Athula Kannangara Thursday, 27 August 2020 07:55 AM

Many research studies have found that MNP has/had both positive and negative effects. Lack of price transparency is another challenge which is faced by mobile consumers, especially on on-net and off-net calls, peak and off-pick calls. TRC should enforce compliance and this pricing issue could be investigated prior to implementation of MNP. The success of MNP should not be ambiguous but the best way to demystify it is through Regulations made under the Act. As much as the TRC has come up with Regulations on what constitutes quality of service, reduction of prices etc. This could be linked to call rates for on-net or off-net calls, peak or off-peak calls, TRC should ensure that compliance is adhered to by mobile operators and failure to do so should be met with penalties illustrated in the Regulations.

Reply