The World Bank has selected a British consultancy firm to commence consultations with the mobile sector stakeholders on the possible introduction of mobile number portability in Sri Lanka. However, mobile operators in the country are cautious of its implementation due to the inability to make gains from it.
Once implemented this new technology will empower consumers to switch between providers easily allowing the subscriber to opt for a service provider of one’s choice but retain the mobile number. The number gets ported to the new provider.
This project, funded through a grant provided by the World Bank, will start its consultation process within two months, Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Chairman Anusha Palpita told the Business Times.
The British consultancy firm that has been selected following international advertisements in this regard and will be tasked with providing consultations with the stakeholders in the sector and the submission of a report to the TRC.
However, the TRC is yet to sign the agreement with the British firm, whose identity has been withheld until it obtains formal approval from the relevant authorities.
Mr. Palpita noted that in the eventuality that this project becomes a reality, a huge cost is likely to be incurred by local mobile operators that would inevitably be passed onto the consumers.
It is interesting to note that the industry is yet not ready to adapt itself to this new concept after mulling over it for years. In this respect, Mr. Palpita observed that they are currently waiting for the market to pick up before venturing into this area of business. He pointed out that while the project will not get off the ground this year it might be sometime next year until it makes a head start.
Meanwhile, the industry seems to eye this new transition towards an era of giving consumers a free-way in moving through the networks with caution although supportive of adopting new technological advances.
“Dialog is supportive of number portability as it is of all evolutions in technology and/or regulation, which will enhance the choice and experience delivered to consumers of telecommunications services,” Dialog CEO Dr. Hans Wijesuriya told the Business Times in an email interview.
Today, it was noted, most mature telecommunications markets have transitioned to number portability with respect to fixed as well as mobile services.
However, in respect of its entry to Sri Lanka, Dialog believes the introduction of number portability would involve a significant degree of preparation and cooperation between all industry players.
Dr. Wijesuriya observed that currently TRCSL has commenced “exploratory discussions” on the topic and pointed out that right now it is premature to quantify the cost of implementing number portability and the manner in which such costs would be allocated across network operators and consumers. Mobitel CEO Suren Amarasekara speaking about this new technological change with the Business Times said they looked towards the regulator and noted this was an industry-wide approach.
He commented that Pakistan had done a great job on it already in adopting this new technological advancement.
Remaining “committed to the process,” he pointed out that currently there are so many operators involved and in this respect awaited the regulator to initiate the process.
This enables a quality of service to be maintained and provided and Mobitel believes its consumers will stay with them.
Mr. Amarasekara said they were excited with the prospect, as convenience to consumer is vital.
Etisalat Lanka Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Sanath Pilapitiya speaking with the Business Times expressed caution noting that there was hardly any interest due to the lack any return on investments. This is due to the low call charges adopted across all networks that will not provide sufficient room to make any gains on the new technology.He noted they required approximately US$2-3 million worth of investment to implement this project .
Mr. Pilapitiya explained that almost all provided similar services at low rates and it was questionable whether customers would be interested in making a one-time payment of US$50-100. In this regard, it was pointed out that the lack of viability was evident. |
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