# Mobile number portability

Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile phone users to retain a mobile telephone number when changing the mobile network operator.

## Overview

Mobile number portability (MNP) allows people to keep their phone numbers when switching to a new mobile network. Moreover, it has been implemented in various ways across the globe.
In most places, like Europe and many other countries, the process is "recipient-led." This means that when you want to switch to a new network, you contact the new network (the recipient). The new network then asks your current network (the donor) to transfer your number. This method is generally seen as straightforward for customers because they only need to interact with the new network. However, the UK and India have a different system known as "donor-led" porting. In these countries, you first need to contact your current network (the donor) to get a special code a Porting Authorization Code (PAC) in the UK or a Unique Porting Code (UPC) in India—which is to be submitted to the recipient network. The recipient continues the porting process by informing the recipient of that porting code. The method has been criticized by some industry analysts as being inefficient, though it prevents MNP scams. It has also been observed that it may act as customer deterrent as well as allowing the donor an opportunity to win back the customers. This might lead to distortion of competition, especially in the markets with new entrants that are yet to achieve scalability in operations. From 1 July 2019 as a result of new rules from Ofcom, In the UK a customer can request a PAC by simply texting "PAC" to 65075, making the process easier without needing to speak directly to the current provider.

## Technical details

A key technical aspect of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) involves the routing of calls or mobile messages (SMS, MMS) to a number once it has been ported. Various call routing implementations exist globally, but the International and European best practice employs a central database (CDB) of ported numbers. Network operators replicate the CDB and query it to determine the network to which a call should be directed. According to RFC 3482, this method, known as All Call Query (ACQ), is both efficient and scalable. The majority of established and emerging MNP systems worldwide rely on this ACQ/CDB method for call routing.
The United Kingdom is one of the few countries that does not use the ACQ/CDB approach. Instead, after a number is ported, calls are routed through the donor network, a method known as "indirect routing." This approach is inefficient as it wastes transmission and switching capacity. Additionally, indirect routing poses risks: if the donor network experiences a fault or ceases operations, customers with ported numbers will lose incoming calls. The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom completed its extended review of the UK MNP process on 29 November 2007, and mandated that ACQ/CDB be implemented for mobile-to-mobile ported calls by 1 September 2009. However, in 2010, Ofcom reversed this decision following objections from major UK telecom operators regarding the cost analysis of the mandate and a successful appeal by Vodafone in 2008.
Prior to March 2008, the minimum porting time in the UK was 5 working days, compared to 3.5 days in Pakistan, 2 hours in the United States, as quickly as 20 minutes in the Republic of Ireland, 3 minutes in Australia and a few seconds in New Zealand. On 17 July 2007, Ofcom concluded a review mandating a reduction of porting time to 2 working days effective 1 April 2008. Following consultations, Ofcom also mandated that near-instant (no more than 2 hours) recipient-led porting be implemented by 1 September 2009. However, Vodafone UK appealed this decision to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), which ruled in favor of Vodafone on 18 September 2008, returning the matter to Ofcom for reconsideration. On 8 July 2010, Ofcom issued a final statement retaining the donor-led process, mandating a two-hour PAC release time, and reducing the porting time from two working days to one working day.
In decentralized MNP models, a Flexible Number Register (FNR) may be used to manage a database of ported-out and ported-in numbers for call routing.

## Number lookup services

Service providers and carriers who route messages and voice calls to MNP-enabled countries might use home location register (HLR) query services to find out the correct network of a mobile phone number. A number of such services exist, which query the operator's HLR over the SS7 signaling network in order to determine the current network of a specified mobile phone number prior to attempted routing of messaging or voice traffic. These number lookup services can access the centralized database where the details related to each phone number subscribe is present who has been authorized to use the GSM network.

## Impact of MNP on mobile carriers and customers

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is crucial for telecom markets as it eliminates a significant barrier to switching, particularly for users who place high value on their numbers, such as business users. By reducing the obstacles to switching, MNP benefits challenger carriers in competition with dominant incumbents. Typically, the implementation of MNP in a country results in an increase in customer churn.
The experience of portability can differ significantly from country to country. For instance, in Portugal, any call to a ported mobile number is accompanied by an announcement indicating that the number has been ported. The uptake of porting varies considerably across markets. According to a report by the Irish regulator Comreg, over 3 million mobile numbers were ported in Ireland between 2004 and 2013. In contrast, Portugal, which has a much larger population of mobile users, saw just over one million numbers ported during a similar timeframe.

### The Americas

| Country | Implementation date yyyy.mm.dd | Time to port days | Price | Short notes |
| Argentina | 2010.08.17 | 1–5 days | ARS 5 | The plan started in August 2010. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. |
| Bolivia | 2018.10.01 | 1 | Free | The process take more working days on postpaid services |
| Brazil | 2008.09.01 | 0–3 | Free | The plan started in March 2007 |
| Canada | 2007.03.14 | 0 | Free | MNP procedure takes 10–20 minutes. |
| Colombia | 2011.07.29 | 0 | Free | On 1 July 2020, the time taken for the MNP procedure to take effect was reduced from 3 days to under 24 hours, the customer might also pick a specific date for the MNP procedure be carried out. |
| Chile | 2012.01.16 | 1 | Free | The process takes place overnight. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. |
| Dominican Republic | 2009.09.30 | 3–10 | Free | |
| Ecuador | 2009.10.12 | 4 | Free | ASCP handled by Systor, Telconet and JR Electric Supply |
| El Salvador | 2015.08.24 | 0 | Free | The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro, administered by Mediafon Datapro and "imCard S.A. de C.V." . MNP procedure takes up to 8 hours, FNP – 3 days. |
| Honduras | 2014.04.30 | 0 | Free | MNP procedure takes 1 hour. |
| Mexico | 2008.07.05 2019.09.01 | | | In 2019 September Mediafon de Mexico successfully replaced old solution by modern Numlex NPCDB platform. Previously the service was handled by iconectiv and Neoris. |
| Paraguay | 2012.11.30 | Up to 8 working days | Free | MNP can take up to 8 working days but usually takes no longer than 1–2 working days. Switching occurs between 1 am and 5 am. |
| Peru | 2010.01.01 | 7–9 | Free | sim card of the new mobile company that will cost around 15 PEN. |
| United States | 2003.11.24 | 0 | Free | iconectiv manages the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC), the largest number portability system in the world. Consisting of seven regional systems, the NPAC facilitates number porting across all Service Providers in the United States. |
| Uruguay | 2021.01.12 | 1–5 days | Free | Cleartech manages the Portability Database Administration (ABD - Administrador de la Base de Datos) |

### Central Asia

| Country | Implementation date yyyy.mm.dd | Time to port days | Price | Short notes | References |
| Kazakhstan | 2016.01.01 | 5 | Free | The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro, administrated by national NPCDB Administrator. | |

### Asia Pacific

| Country | Implementation date yyyy.mm.dd | Time to port days | Price | Short notes | References |
| Australia | 2001.09.25 | 0 | Free | Previously prefixes 04x1, 04x2, 04x3 referred to Optus 04x4, 04x5 and 04x6 referred to Vodafone 043x, referred to Vodafone Hutchison Australia formally known as Hutchison 3G Australia. 04x7, 04x8, 04x9 and 0410x referred to Telstra Some carriers may charge a fee for porting out. MNP takes around 10 to 20 minutes | |
| Bangladesh | 2018.10.01 | 7 | $0.43 50 BDT Fee and 200 BDT SIM replacement Tax and VAT. Total amount is 256 BDT. | Number portability is available nationwide, "Infozillion BD-Teletech Consortium" provided the MNP. customer should have completed a period of 90 days (from the date of activation of the mobile connection) with the current operator, to be eligible for porting to another operator. Similarly, after porting to a new provider the number would be locked in for 90 days. GrameenPhone, Robi, Airtel-bd, Banglalink all operator can port own Number. The duration for the process is 7 days and the time a number is deactivated for portability is about 2 hours. | |
| China (mainland) | Phase I: 2010.11 (in Tianjin and Hainan) Phase II: 2018.12 (Phase I and Jiangxi, Hubei and Yunnan provinces) Phase III: 2019.11.10 (all provinces, officially on 2019.12.01) | <1 (1~2 hours as in Phase II) | Free (but as per the 4th requirement on right, sometimes cancellation of contract services may take some fees) | No MVNO, satellite and IoT numbers are accepted due to technical challenges. No changes on home territory when doing MNP. MNP requests may only accepted if and when the phone numbers: Are identified with real name Are not in reported-the-loss or halted mode Have not owed phone bills Have no limits on contract services Have linked with the previous carrier for 120 days | |
| Hong Kong | 1999.03.01 | 2 | Free | Service handled by Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). In the network, you may be charged unexpectedly for a call to a mobile that has been ported form a different network. | |
| India | 2011.01.20 | 3 | ₹6.46 (if requested by operator) | Number portability is available nationwide, provided the customer should have completed a period of 90 days (from the date of activation of the mobile connection) with the current operator, to be eligible for porting to another operator. Similarly, after porting to a new provider the number would be locked in for 90 days. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. The duration for the process is 3 days and the time a number is deactivated for portability is about 2 hours. | [32] [33] [34] |
| Japan | 2006.10.24 | 1 | JPY 3000 | | |
| Malaysia | 2008.10.01 | 1 | Free | 1 day is a minimum time necessary for porting. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. | |
| Maldives | 2016.03.10 | 2 | MVR 200 | Number portability is allowed within a circle. The customer should have completed a period of 90 days (from the date of activation of the mobile connection) with the current operator and any outstanding bills should be cleared, to be eligible for porting to another operator. Although the duration for the process is 2 days for total process but the time a number is deactivated for portability is 2 hours only. | [41] [42] [43] |
| New Zealand | 2007.04.01 | | | | |
| Pakistan | 2007.03.23 | 4 | Free | Customers can port between prepaid and postpaid options. On porting IN, the recipient company provides, free credit and airtime. The service is handled by Pakistan MNP Database (Guarantee) Limited, the joint venture of all the cellular companies of Pakistan. Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. | |
| Philippines | 2021.09.30 | 2 | Free | | |
| Singapore | 2008.06.13 | 1 | Free | Customers are not able to port between prepaid and postpaid options. Vendor for database installation is Syniverse Technologies | |
| South Korea | 2004.07.12 | | | | |
| Taiwan | 2005.10.13 | 1 | TWD 112 | | |
| Thailand | 2010.12.15 | 2 | Free | Number Portability Clearinghouse services were previously handled by iconectiv. 2 days can be just working days. | |
| Vietnam | 2018.11.16 (postpaid) 2019.01.01 (prepaid) | 2 | 60,000 VND (postpaid) 50,000 VND (prepaid) | Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. | |

### Europe

| Country | Implementation date yyyy.mm.dd | Time to port days | Price | Short notes |
| Albania | 2010.12.22 | TBA | TBA | Agreement signed on 2010-12-22 between AKEP (Authority of Electronic and Postal Communications) and the service handling company "INFOSOFT SYSTEMS sh.a.". Service not implemented yet. |
| Armenia | 2014.04.01 | | | |
| Austria | 2004.10.16 | 3 | EUR 10 | |
| Azerbaijan | 2013.08.01 | 3 | Free | From 1 January 2013 NPCDB in Azerbaijan is administrated by Mediafon Datapro, the company of Mediafon group, which has won international rebid for NPCDB administration in Azerbaijan in 2013. Mediafon Datapro successfully replaced old solution by modern Numlex NPCDB platform. |
| Belarus | 2012.02.01 | 1 | Free | |
| Belgium | 2002.10.01 | 2 | Free | The central solution CRDC has been re-implemented several times. Originally, it was implemented by iconectiv US, then by Cap Gemini Sweden and Belgium, and the third time by Porthus Belgium. Access to DB: setup fee : €11 000, annual fee: €3000. Before, the prefixes 047x was for Proximus phones, 048x for Base and 049x for Orange |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2013.01.01 | 3 | Free | |
| Bulgaria | 2008.04.11 | 2 | EUR 2.56 | |
| Croatia | 2006.10.01 | 5 | | 5 days is maximum possible period necessary for porting a number. Service handled by HAKOM. |
| Cyprus | 2004.07.?? | 2 | Free | |
| Czechia | 2006.01.15 | 4 | | Before 2013-09-01 it was 30 days to transfer, now just 4 days |
| Denmark | 2001.07.?? | 1 | DKK 0–29 | The central solutions is called OCH – Operators Clearing House. Before 2009 it was 30–60 days to transfer number, now just 1 day |
| Estonia | 2005.01.01 | 7 | | |
| Finland | 2003.07.25 | 5 | Free | Handled by the company Numpac |
| France | 2003.06.30 | 3 | Free | Heavily improved since November 2011 with a 3-days maximum lead time (was taking 2 months in most cases before 2007, then 10 days) |
| Georgia | 2011.01.01 | | Free | From 1 January 2017 NPCDB in Georgia is administrated by Mediafon Datapro, the company of Mediafon group, which has won international rebid for NPCDB administration in Georgia in 2016. Mediafon Datapro successfully replaced old solution by modern Numlex NPCDB platform. |
| Germany | 2002.11.01 | 1 | Free | |
| Greece | 2003.09.?? | 3 | Free | Service is handled by iconectiv. |
| Hungary | 2004.05.01 | 8 | Free | |
| Iceland | 2004.10.01 | 10 | Free | 10 days is maximum possible period. |
| Ireland | 2003.07.25 | 0 | Free | Full mobile number portability in Ireland is a very simple and rapid process, driven by the customer. The request is made to the new operator, then automatically confirmed by SMS or a voice call using a code. It normally completes within a few minutes. Many operators can process requests automatically online through their websites. Requests can occasionally take longer, but usually no more 24 hours. Volumes of ported mobile numbers are reported in the Comreg quarterly report Before 2003, partial mobile number portability was available. Customers retained the last 7-digits of their mobile number, but changed operator prefix. Callers to the old prefix would hear an automatic announcement advising them of the new number. This service was introduced in 1997 and replaced by full portability in 2003. Where an Irish number is ported, mobile callers will hear a 'chirp' tone if they are calling a number that is not on its original network. This alerts them that call charges other networks may apply. Service handled by PortingXS Archived 22 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine via the Inports Number Portability System. |
| Italy | 2002.04.01 | 1 | Free (1 to €1.6 if the subscriber wants to transfer their prepaid credit to the new carrier) | The maximum time for the procedure is 24 working hours. In case of delay up to 3 working days no refund is given, if the delay is longer than 3 days user receive a refund of €2.5 for each day of delay, start counting from day 1. |
| Latvia | 2007.??.?? | 10 | Free | |
| Lithuania | 2004.01.01 | 28 | | From 2016.01.01 (after rebid in 2015) NPCDB administrator VsI "Numerio perkelimas" manages NPCDB solution NUMLEX developed and installed by Mediafon. Time to port – 1 day |
| Luxembourg | 2005.02.01 | 1 | | Managed by the G.I.E Telcom E.I.G. operator group and developed, installed and operated by Systor Trondheim AS. |
| Malta | 2005.07.31 | 0 | | 4 hours is a period necessary to port a number. |
| Moldova | 2013.07.01 | 5–30 | Free | Service handled by Mediafon Datapro. The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed, installed and supported by Mediafon Datapro, administrated by national NPCDB Administrator "NP Base" |
| Netherlands | 1999.04.?? | 3 | | |
| North Macedonia | 2008.09.01 | | | The reference database was developed, installed and is operated by Seavus Group. |
| Norway | 2001.04.01 | 5 | NOK 0 – 200 | Administrated by the National Reference Database (NRDB). The reference database was developed, installed and is operated by Systor Trondheim AS. |
| Poland | 2006.02.?? | | Free | To be administrated by the National Central Database (PLI-CBD) run by Office of Electronic Communications (UKE). 30-day max porting time is to be reduced to 1 day. |
| Portugal | 2002.01.01 | 5–10 | Free | Operated by Portabil S.A. Solution implemented by Systor Trondheim AS of Norway. |
| Romania | 2008.10.21 | 3 | Free | Developed by UTI Systems based on the Porthus implementation |
| Russia | 2013.12.01 | 8 | RUR 0–100 | CBDPN was installed. |
| Serbia | 2011.07.01 | 2 | Free | |
| Slovakia | 2004.05.01 | 4 | Free | Portation request done in 5 days |
| Slovenia | 2005.12.31 | 5 | EUR 5 | 5 EUR is a maximum possible price |
| Spain | 2000.10.?? | 1 | Free | Central database managed through the AOPM (Asociación de Operadores para la Portabilidad Móvil). |
| Sweden | 2001.09.01 | 5–6 | Free | The largest operators formed independent company, SNPAC AB, to procure central database (CRDB) solution. Implementation of CRDB is carried out by Cap Gemini & Oracle. |
| Switzerland | 2000.03.01 | 5 | Free | |
| Turkey | 2008.11.09 | 2–6 | Free | AVEA and Vodafone hired Gantek to implement central database (CRDB) solution and donated it to Turkish Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. Number Portability Clearinghouse services were previously handled by iconectiv. SIM replacement required. |
| Ukraine | 2019.05.01 | 1 | Free | Participants: 3Mob, Lifecell, Vodafone, Kyivstar, Intertelecom |
| United Kingdom | 2003.07.25 | 1 | Free | Users in the United Kingdom are required to use a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) |

### Middle East and Africa

| Country | Implementation date yyyy.mm.dd | Time to port days | Price | Short notes |
| Bahrain | 2011.07.08 | | Free | Managed by the Systor Cntral System. |
| Egypt | 2008.04.07 | 24 hours | Free (may request 5 EGP for new MNP SIM fee), was charging 75 EGP before | NPC serves the centralized administrative and provisioning role of MNP, where Giza Systems is the system integrator. Cannot revert to existing operator before 4 months of service to new operator. Porting to another operator, line should be at least 4 months old. Number Portability Clearinghouse services were previously handled by iconectiv. |
| Ghana | 2011.07.07 | typically 5–10 min., max 24 hours | Free | Central system operated by Porting Access Ghana, under authorisation from National Communications Authority |
| Iran | 2016.07.10 | 3–5 | Free | |
| Israel | 2007.12.03 | up-to 30 minutes | Free | Service includes landline as well as mobile numbers |
| Ivory Coast | 2018 | | | The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro. |
| Jordan | 2010.??.?? | | | |
| Kenya | 2011.04.01 | | Free | |
| Kuwait | 2013.06.15 | 1 | Free | The Ministry of Telecommunications has launched the service on 2013-06-15. The project manager is the National Technology Enterprises Company www.ntec.com.kw |
| Morocco | 2019 ongoing deployment | | | In 2019 Mediafon Datapro will successfully implement modern Numlex NPCDB platform. |
| Nigeria | 2013.04.22 | 2 | Free | NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) has adopted a phased approach to the launch of Mobile Number Portability service in Nigeria. The process to port to CDMA networks will begin as soon as the GSM porting process is completed and launched. Mobile Number Portability will initially be available among the GSM mobile operators: MTN, GLOBACOM, ETISALAT, and AIRTEL. Number Portability Clearinghouse services were previously handled by iconectiv. |
| Oman | 2006.08.26 | | | Implemented as a decentralized solution by Porthus for Nawras, and by Gulf Business Machines/Telcordia for Oman Mobile. |
| Palestine | 2020.09.20 | 1 hour | Free | Cannot revert to the existing operator before 3 months (for prepaid users)/6 months (for postpaid users) of service to the new operator. |
| Qatar | 2013.01.31 | Maximum 1 working day – would be activated the successive day | Free, operator can impose SIM card charges if any | The National Numbering Committee, established by ictQATAR has taken care of the MNP management. Currently both Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar allows Port in and Port out for Prepaid and Postpaid Services |
| Saudi Arabia | 2006.07.08 | | Free | Managed by the Centralized Clearinghouse Approach, The implementer and system integrator is Giza Arabia. Number Portability Clearinghouse services were previously handled by iconectiv. |
| Senegal | 2015.09.01 | MNP goes nearly online, max −24 hours | Free | The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro, administrated by Mediafon Datapro and Comet Afrique Telecoms . Only MNP. |
| South Africa | 2006.11.10 | | | The three operators, Vodacom SA, MTN SA, and Cell C, formed an independent company for the implementation and management of the central solution. After delays, the implementation of this solution was awarded to local company Saab Grintek collaborating with iconectiv. |
| Tanzania | 2017.03.01 | | Free | |
| Tunisia | 2016 | | | The NP Central data base (NPCDB) "NUMLEX" was developed and installed by Mediafon Datapro, administrated by national NPCDB Administrator. |
| UAE | | | Free | Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by iconectiv. |