Muscat: Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has ordered both mobile telephone service providers to implement the Mobile Number Portability System (MNPS), a new service that allows mobile users to transfer from one mobile operator to another while retaining the same number.
The order was effective from yesterday with the both operators, Oman Mobile and Nawras launching a campaign to lure customers from the other side.
Oman granted a licence to the new private operator Nawras last year. In March this year, Nawras complained against the partly-government owned Oman Mobile that they failed to implement MNPS. Subsequently, Oman Mobile was given five months to implement the system.
Speaking at a press conference Ross Cormack, Nawras CEO said: "We took the lead and lobbied the TRA and fought hard for customers' rights to enjoy the extra freedom of choice which MNPS brings to all mobile users in Oman. We have now launched this incredible service that allows customers to choose their operator and keep their existing number."
"Mobile Number Portability is an important pre-requisite in a free mobile telecommunications market focused on fair competition," reckons Cormack.
A senior official of the TRA said the decision to introduce Mobile Number Portability was in conformity with the provisions of the Telecom Regulatory Act and the licences granted to the operators.
"The Authority believes that the MNP project will encourage competition, while motivating operators to explore ways to retain their customers," a spokesman for TRA said.
