The government is set to introduce mobile number portability (MNP) system shortly to enable cell phone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers even after changing from one mobile network operator to another, state minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said on Thursday.
“The (MNP) guideline is now ready . . . we are going to ask the BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) to introduce MNP as early as possible,” she told BSS.
The state minister said the MNP guidelines were prepared earlier while her ministry by now secured clearance from the finance ministry and the Prime Minister’s office.
The finance ministry clearance was required for fixing issues of tariff and revenue sharing while it fixed Taka 60 for subscribers to avail the MNP service.
She added that BTRC was now expected to float an international tender to appoint a MNP operator to provide the service.
On assuming the charge of the telecommunication sector as the junior minister earlier this year, Tarana Halim promised to introduce the MNP by March 2016 so the mobile phone users could choose networks of their choices retaining the same number.
Officials familiar with the process said the Posts and Telecommunications Division would send the MNP guidelines to the BTRC in next two or three days.
In 2013, BTRC has formulated the draft MNP guideline and submitted it to the posts and telecommunications division for approval.
Once the MNP is introduced, customers can switch to one mobile phone operator to another operator keeping their number unchanged and they can again avail the facility after 40 days.
