Bear, Diah and Pasha

Freedom to Switch

Posted on the August 29th, 2008 under News by papabear

Good news for Malaysian mobile phone users. With the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP), users can now change the their network service providers without having to forgo their original phone number including the prefix.

For example, if you are currently subscribed to Celcom with the number 0191234567, you do not have to change it to 0127654321 if you decide to move to Maxis. Previously, it was a hassle to change the service provider as that would mean having to inform all your contacts about the new number from your new service providers. Now those days are gone.

In fact, that was my major consideration when thinking about changing my network service provider especially when they are not keeping up with the changes in the industry and not providing offers that are given by others.

However, when thinking about having to inform hundreds of people in my contact list, I have to put that idea aside and hope that others would make the move and therefore, forcing my network service provider to bow down to the market pressure and revise their rates, etc. Normally that would happen sooner or later but just like anything else, it takes time.

Effective today, the service will be extended to users with prepaid mobile phone numbers in the Klang Valley and post-paid users can start enjoying the benefit in two weeks’ time. – Mobile phone users free to switch

Anyway, if you read the news above, network operators are allowed to charge RM 25 for the switching and it is currently in pre-launch stage for the users in the Klang Valley area. The official launch will be held in October this year.

Details on the MNP can also be found at the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission website at www.skmm.gov.my.

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