Doha: Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is now available in Qatar, the country’s telecoms sector regulator said yesterday.
The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQatar) announced that MNP officially began here on January 31.
It allows consumers to retain their existing mobile phone numbers when switching to a different service provider.
This service will be available in all retail outlets of the two service providers in Qatar, Qtel and Vodafone, in a ‘phased rollout’.
“Currently some of the outlets are providing this service, but in the coming weeks the service will become fully available,” an official from ictQatar said.
Consumers wishing to change their service provider and retain their existing mobile phone number will be able to avail of this facility after filling an MNP application at a retail outlet of the service provider they are planning to switch to. The switchover should typically happen in one working day once the application is submitted.
“Mobile Number Portability is an important part of the ongoing liberalisation of Qatar’s telecommunications sector. It allows consumers to choose more freely the service provider that best meets their needs without having to sacrifice their existing number,” said Saleh Al Kuwari, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, ictQatar.
“The growing competition in our telecommunications market is leading to lower prices, innovative new services and enhanced customer care. MNP will further empower consumers, and we are pleased that both service providers have worked with us to make this possible,” he added.
“To find out more about the cost of switching, customers will need to check with the service providers,” an official said.
Qtel said on its website it would provide a new SIM card free to customers switching over from Vodafone. The only cost incurred will be one dirham, on sending a text message to activate the service.
“Both Qtel and Vodafone Qatar have committed to providing point-of-sale service to assist consumers with the process and to answer any questions they may have. We encourage all consumers considering switching their mobile service to another provider to carefully review all the applicable terms and conditions,” said Mohammed El Bashir, ictQatar Technical Affairs Manager.
Mmore information can be had from www.qtel.qa and www.vodafone.qa.
