Zimbabwean mobile number portability faces glitches

Zimbabwean operators are slow in adopting mobile number portability (MNP) as they are not opening up their numbering systems to subscribers intending to switch to other networks, according to ITWeb. It said telecom industry officials and executives have said the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) should enforce mobile number portability.

Sources said this requires massive investment in mobile numbering systems and MNP platforms by Potraz. One telecom executive said the availability of numbers has remained a problem and operators will not easily open up to losing subscribers. For this to fully work, Potraz should take charge of the numbering system and platforms so that no operator has control and can manipulate those intending to switch.

Angeline Vere, the newly appointed CEO of Telecel Zimbabwe, told ITWeb Africa that some operators are frustrating the system because they have control over it. Despite some operators dragging their feet over full implementation, Telecel and NetOne have reportedly started to allow subscribers to switch networks while keeping their last six mobile number digits, if still available.

There was no immediate official comment from Potraz, whose board has been dissolved by ICT minister Supa Mandiwanzira. However, officials there who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Potraz was yet to fully approve mobile number portability. They added that the regulatory body was looking into the issue, but said there were other pressing issues that needed to be addressed first, such as infrastructure sharing.