Nigeria’s regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced on Wednesday that it will begin testing on Mobile Number Portability (MNP) before the end of the year. The move is expected to empower customers and force telecommunication operators to improve overall services.
The NCC added that it expects full implementation of number portability sometime in the first quarter of next year.
In June, the NCC had planned to begin testing the MNP implementation, but postponed the move saying it needed more time to ensure full harmonization of data during the recent SIM card registration.
NCC’s Director for Public Affairs Tony Ojobo said “everything required for the test run of MNP was ready and the test will begin this December.”
Ojobo added that “the test run will give the consultants the opportunity to address any hitches that may arise in the process, for a full launch in the first quarter next year.”
The regulator had licensed three service providers to implement the system. They include Interconnect Clearing house, Saab Grintek and Telcordia.
“These firms will be responsible for the set up and implementation of the Number Portability Clearing House in Nigeria,” the NCC said in the statement.
David Eto
