Mobile subscribers of the country’s major mobile service providers – Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone – can use a mobile number portability (MNP) service, which allows them to retain their phone numbers when switching carriers, from November 16, the local media reported.

A telecom fair visitor inspects a mobile phone on display. Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone on November 16 will launch the MNP service in line with regulations issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications

At a press conference held by the Ministry of Information and Communications on November 5, the ministry issued guidelines on the deployment of the MNP service starting from November 16. As planned, the three mobile carriers will offer the service to postpaid subscribers. Three months later, the MNP service will be applied to all prepaid subscribers.

A representative from VinaPhone noted that the carrier has finished preparing the technical infrastructure, charging system, sales channels and staff training to step into serving customers seeking to switch carriers.

VinaPhone is speeding up the process of routing to local mobile carriers and negotiating for charges for MNP calls using an international roaming service so that the plan can be carried out smoothly on November 16, the representative said.

Besides this, a representative from Viettel stated that the carrier’s preparations for the MNP service had been completed by end-2017, adding that Viettel and other carriers on November 16 would launch the service in line with regulations issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The fee for the MNP service is VND120,000, and subscribers who have had their numbers activated for at least 90 days can switch to other networks.

In addition, in terms of accounts, telecom enterprises reached a consensus that data from subscribers using the MNP service will not be stored by the old carriers any longer. Mobile subscribers will have 45 days to complete their pledged commitments and conclude the contract with the previous mobile carrier.

SGT