Mobile Number Portability is getting closer

Nawras, the Sultanate's customer-friendly communications provider, has announced that the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service is getting closer, and that it is scheduled to be introduced to the market by the end of August 2006. Mobile Number Portability is a new service, which makes it possible for mobile customers to transfer from one mobile operator to another while keeping their current mobile number.

Nawras has been instrumental in driving the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability service in Oman. In fact, renowned for its many firsts, Nawras, with the support of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), will place the Sultanate of Oman on the regional map as the first country in the Middle East to introduce the Mobile Number Portability service. Khalid Al-Mahmoud, Nawras Chief Operations Officer, commented, “Nawras has been working hard to introduce Mobile Number Portability ever since before our launch in March 2005 – knowing that the service would benefit all mobile customers in Oman. We have been the main driver behind the initiative, and we met with Oman Mobile and TRA on several occasions during 2005 to discuss, specify and plan the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability service.”

Initially, it was indicated that the service should be made available to the public on the 29th of January 2006. However, as Oman Mobile claimed it was not able to meet this implementation date, and subsequently requested an extension to the deadline, the TRA made a determination on the 1st of March 2006, instructing that the service should be officially launched on the 1st August 2006. Al-Mahmoud continued, “We were of course not happy about this long delay, but we could obviously not implement Mobile Number Portability without Oman Mobile being ready. Our disappointment and surprise was on the other hand even bigger when it turned out that Oman Mobile was also not able to meet this new deadline, due to technical problems. Over the last weeks and we have been working intensively with Oman Mobile in order to resolve their problems, and to ensure that the Mobile Number Portability service is delivered as soon as possible. We are delighted to see that the service is close to be a reality also thanks to the continued support and cooperation of the TRA.”

Haitham bin Abdullah Al-Kharusi, Nawras Head of Offer Management and Corporate Affairs, remarked, “We are really looking forward to the launch of the Mobile Number Portability service, and the freedom it will give mobile customers in joining Nawras without giving up their existing mobile number. Through our extensive market research, we have learned that the possibility for Oman Mobile customers to keep their existing mobile number, when transferring to Nawras, is one of the most requested services in the Omani mobile market. We are very happy to once again deliver on customer needs, and look forward to welcome a large number of both Hayyak and Mada customers, who have waited a long time for this opportunity.”

With Mobile Number Portability customers can join Nawras while keeping their existing mobile number. This means that customers transferring to Nawras through Mobile Number Portability no longer need to notify family, friends and work colleagues about their new mobile number. For businesses it also means that they will not have to worry about changing business cards, stationary, print advertising, web pages, signage, etc. The process of porting an existing number to Nawras will be quite smooth and will only require a couple of days of processing time.

Al-Kharusi concluded, “Mobile customers can get more information about how to transfer their existing mobile number to Nawras by simply calling 95011500, or by visiting the nearest Nawras Store, thereby learning when the service becomes available and how to get closer to Oman’s Best Value, Best Service and Best Quality mobile service provider.”

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