SIM card vendors are amassing as many promotional SIM card numbers from small-scale telecom carriers as they can, expecting to sell them at higher prices after the mobile number portability (MNP) service takes effect today - November 16, Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper reported.

A person uses a mobile phone in this file photo. 

MNP allows mobile subscribers to retain their phone numbers when switching to another telecom carrier.

SIM card vendors are gathering a slew of working SIM card numbers delivered by Vietnamobile as these numbers have more reasonable prices than those of major carriers.

In particular, prices of popular Vietnamobile SIM card numbers have increased at least twofold, while lucky phone numbers from this carrier have surged from ten- to twentyfold in price.

Despite speculating numerous low-cost lucky numbers in an attempt to hike the prices later, the vendors are now under pressure from the constantly changing SIM card market. In addition, many regulations issued by the competent agencies to manage the MNP execution may hinder their business in the coming period.

The carrier Gmobile did not get involved in the hunt for lucky SIM card numbers, raising concern among vendors who had amassed Gmobile SIM cards. Those who have already purchased Gmobile cards at high prices can only attempt to sell as many of these cards as possible.

Local carriers Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone will conduct the MNP service for postpaid mobile phone subscribers from November 16, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications. Besides this, both prepaid and postpaid subscribers will be offered the service on January 1, 2019, by the given carriers and Vietnamobile.

The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority, under the Ministry of Information and Communications, and local carriers have agreed to offer the MNP service to some 5% of postpaid subscribers on a trial basis, aiming to promptly work out solutions to eliminate any negative effects on the market before launching the service on a wider scale.

Therefore, the amassing of SIM cards in the hope of making hefty profits when the MNP service takes effect is risky as management agencies will limit the number of subscribers being offered the service.

SGT