{"id":2347,"date":"2019-08-12T06:42:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T06:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nigerianfinder.com\/?p=2347"},"modified":"2020-03-17T21:14:37","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T20:14:37","slug":"mobile-number-portability-in-nigeria-mtn-airtel-etisalat-glo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigerianfinder.com\/mobile-number-portability-in-nigeria-mtn-airtel-etisalat-glo\/","title":{"rendered":"Effects of Mobile Number Portability on Telecoms Services and Usage in Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"

Traditionally, Nigerian consumers of mobile telecommunications services had to lose their telephone numbers and adopt new ones when switching from one mobile network provider to another. However, as the mobile telecom market in Nigeria continues to blossom, with about 121 million active phone lines as of September 2013[1]<\/sup>, the government is shifting its policy from “supply-side” incentives for service providers to “demand-side” measures that seek to focus on consumer interest and empowerment. This is evident in the launch\u2014on April 22, 2013\u2014of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) by the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC).<\/p>\n

Mobile Number Portability is a service that enables mobile telephone users to switch from one mobile network operator to another, in search of better service quality, whilst retaining their original telephone numbers. This service, according to the NCC, would empower consumers, stimulate competition between the major telecom service providers and enhance the delivery of their services in the country [2]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

MNP Post-launch Report<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

According to NCC\u2019s Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, about 4,000 Nigerians switched networks within the first 48 hours following the launch of Mobile Number Portability in the country [3]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

It was also stated that MTN Nigeria lost the most subscribers within the first month of the launch of the service, when the company recorded 49% of all off-network switches. Etisalat Nigeria, however, recorded the biggest gain, attracting 44% of all consumers who opted to switch networks within the period [4]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Additional reports made available by the NCC revealed that 7,164 consumers switched networks in May 2013, and the number dropped to 5,759 in June 2013[5]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Effects of Mobile Number Portability on Telecoms Network Providers<\/b><\/h2>\n

So far, the effects of Mobile Number Portability on telecoms network providers in Nigeria have been very significant.<\/p>\n

MNP, to a large extent, has motivated telecom network providers in Nigeria to increase the efficiency of their services in order to retain their existing customers and attract new ones from other network providers.<\/p>\n

More importantly, the service has mounted pressure on network providers to differentiate themselves in the market through continuous introduction of new and attractive product and service packages.<\/p>\n

Effects of Mobile Number Portability on Consumers<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

While the NCC is enthusiastic about the MNP service, it seems most Nigerians are not. The telling proofs of this are the facts that a meagre 4,000 Nigerians (out of the several millions that use mobile phones) took advantage of the service within the first 48 hours[3]<\/sup>, and less than 15,000 subscribers switched networks between May and June, 2013[5]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

The lack of interest of most Nigerian consumers in MNP can be attributed to the following reasons:<\/p>\n