VietNamNet Bridge – Though mobile network operators still keep reluctant with the MNP process (mobile number portability), the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) has decided that subscribers would be able to shift to other networks while keeping their phone numbers from January 1, 2017.

Le Thi Ngoc Mo, Deputy Director of the Telecom Department, said the MNP project aims to give mobile phone subscribers the opportunities to choose better service providers while no need to worry about the changes of the contact numbers.

Mo also said that the MNP service would generate a new tendency of personalizing phone numbers, thus laying down a foundation for the development of the new services relating to the commerce apps, content services on mobile networks. This would facilitate the development of 3G services which have only gained modest investment achievements.

Besides, MNP would also heighten the effectiveness of the use of the digital repository and help better control pre-paid subscribers. People’s demand for possessing many simcards at the same time to use the services of different mobile network operators would be decreasing, which would help cut down the number of inactivated simcards.

Mobile network operators try to delay MNP process

While MIC has shown its determination to speed up the MNP, mobile network operators, reasoning big problems, try to delay the process.

A senior executive of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) said VNPT needs at least five years to prepare for the MNP. The group still needs to consider thoroughly the economic aspects of the project, including the investment rate, the expected benefits and the cooperation of relevant enterprises.

Tong Viet Trung, Deputy General Director of Viettel, one of the three biggest network operators, has also said Viettel has yet to get ready because some regulations that guides the MNP still have not come out.

However, the main reason behind the reluctance, apparently, is that network operators would have to make heavy investment to serve the MNP.

Meanwhile, the current economic situation is not good, and no one can be sure if the circumstances can be bettered in the time to come to allow network operators to have money on upgrading their system and serve the MNP.

Besides, once the MNP policy is implemented, some subscribers would leave big networks for small networks, the thing that network operators need to prevent no matter what.

Mo, in reply to the network operators’ worries, reassured them that the legal documents necessary for the implementation of MNP would be issued soon to ensure the smooth performance of the process.

Mo also said she understands that enterprises don’t want MNP, because they fear they would have to spend a big sum of money which would not bring new subscribers. Enterprises also have worries about the possible big changes in the market.

However, Mo said MNP is a kind of service which does not aim to increase the turnover or obtain bigger profit. She has also tried to calm down the enterprises that the number of subscribers who want to shift to other networks would not be as high as thought.

Despite the reluctance by telcos, MIC has decided that the MNP would be ready from January 1, 2017. Vietnam cannot delay the MNP for any longer, once MNP is a topic of discussion in nearly all international treaties. The TPP of which Vietnam is a member also includes the provision abut MNP.

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