Easy switch for cellphone users
Sunday January 14, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: Handphone users will soon be able to switch network providers without changing their phone numbers.  Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the Mobile Number Portability (MNP), first proposed three years ago, would be implemented by June. 

MNP allows cellular service subscribers to switch network providers without the need to change their handphone numbers. 

Dr Lim said the implementation would be managed by an “independent third party”. The implementation needed the support of the telecommunications companies.  

“If one of them does not cooperate, this whole scheme will be jeopardised,” Dr Lim said at his ministry's monthly meeting on Friday. “Those who do not cooperate will be penalised,” he warned, adding that the penalty was still being discussed. 

MNP was proposed by the Government in 2004 and scheduled to be in use by 2005. Implementation was delayed as more research was needed.  

Datuk Dr Halim Shafie, head of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, announced last year that the telcos – Maxis Communications Bhd, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Celcom Bhd – were receptive to MNP.  

Article taken from www.thestar.com.my