Ofcom sets two-hour mobile number transfer

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards is demanding faster number portability

Ofcom has proposed that mobile phone users transferring to an alternative supplier should be able to have their old numbers up and running on the new network within two hours. 

The telecoms watchdog is seeking views on its proposal, which is set to come into force by September 2009.

In the interim, Ofcom is requiring that the current process is completed in just two working days, compared to the current five days.

The objective is to ensure that consumers are able to select a new mobile provider, purchase a new Sim card and receive calls using their old number as quickly as possible.

Ofcom wants to ensure that there is no reason for mobile phone providers to be discouraged from offering number portability to customers.

The organisation believes that the current process is too lengthy and places responsibility on the consumer to see the transfer through.

Customers looking to switch their number to a new provider must first obtain a Porting Authorisation Code from their current provider, and then wait up to five working days for their number to be transferred to the new network.

Ofcom also has concerns over the routing of calls to transferred numbers on fixed and mobile networks.

Calls are currently routed to these numbers via the former provider's network, but this could lead to problems if the operator experiences technical issues or goes out of business.

Following a consultation in November 2006, Ofcom has therefore decided that, as of 1 April 2008, all mobile operators must transfer numbers no later than two days after a consumer has decided to switch operator.

"The UK was one of the first countries to introduce number portability and this has helped create a competitive mobile market in the UK. However, the original process is now out of date," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards.

"We believe that the industry should introduce a new system which will stimulate competition and encourage consumers to exercise choice between competing suppliers with a minimum of inconvenience."

Ofcom has also decided that fixed and mobile providers should create a central database of transferred numbers, which should enable mobile operators to switch numbers to new networks within two hours.

The database would also enable calls to be routed directly to the new provider to minimise the potential for interrupted service should a provider's network fail.

The proposal states that the database be set up and populated by all mobile providers by the end of 2008, with direct routing to ported numbers on mobile networks by the end of September 2009.

Ofcom is also consulting on an option that would require mobile providers to move to a recipient-led porting process. This will mean that customers need to make just one call to the provider they wish to join to carry out the transfer.