Kenya’s telecoms industry regulator has decided on Netherlands-based firm, Porting Access BV, to manage the rollout of mobile number portability (MPN) in the country, as from July 2010.
According to The Communications Commission of Kenya director-general, Charles Njoroge, number portability would increase competition and consumer choice in the country.
Number portability allows users to change their telecom providers without losing their phone numbers. The issue was brought to the attention of the regulator by local operators such as Telkom Kenya’s Orange, Yu and Zain, who argued that the move would make it easier for consumers to switch networks, thereby encouraging competition.
Kenya’s telecom sector is dominated by Safaricom, controlling 78% of the market, while Zain, Orange and Yu share the rest, 17%, 4% and 1% respectively. Despite introducing low cost voice and data services, entrants have fallen short of threatening Safaricom’s position.
In October last year, the regulator invited bids to manage the MPN database in the country. The bidders presented were Porting Access BV, Seven Seas Technologies, Teletech from Slovenia, Saab Grintek Technologies from South Africa and Systor Group of Companies.
