|
SOME 5.8 million mobile phone users can expect better deals, as the industry heads for its biggest shakeup in years when the full number portability rings in on June 13.
This will let users switch from one service provider to another without changing his number, making it easier than before. Previously, they had their numbers forwarded, but ended up with two numbers instead.
There are about 130,000 mobile phone users who have ported their numbers under a current call -forwarding solution, but they have to use their old and new mobile numbers concurrently.
Besides convenience, consumers can expect the three telcos - Singapore Telecommunications, StarHub and MobileOne - to fight harder to retain them, by offering cheaper prices or bundled deals. SingTel now has a 41 per cent market share, Starhub has 31 per cent share, while MobileOne takes a 27 per cent slice.
In the end, there may not be that many consumers switching, said the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) deputy general for telecoms Andrew Haire on Wednesday. But the mere threat of them leaving, he noted, will force telcos to be on the ball.
Already, telcos have tried to lock in customers by tying cellphone services to broadband and pay-TV services. StarHub and SingTel both offer discounts for customers who sign up for more than one service.
At the same time, telcos have also tried to sell more innovative cellphone plans, for example, by offering airtime that can be shared by family members.
'Consumers can truly look forward to having one number for life,' said Mr Leong Keng Thai, deputy chief executive of IDA at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
IDA said from June 13, anyone who wishes to keep their current number when they switch mobile operator, can do so by the next working day. This spares them the hassle of updating their family, friends, and business contacts about a new number.
Pre-paid mobile subscribers can also enjoy the same benefits.
Number portability allows a mobile subscriber who has switched operator to:
* Retain full use of his mobile number, which will continue to appear on his contact's Caller-ID when he makes a call or uses the Short Message Service (SMS)/Multi-Media Message Service (MMS)
* Continue receiving MMSes on his number from his previous mobile operator
'Full Mobile Number Portability is expected to bring about a sea-change in Singapore's mobile market. Consumers will be empowered with greater flexibility to choose from the offerings from mobile operators. This in turn intensifies competition and pushes the operators to work harder to attract and retain their customers,' said Mr Leong.
'As we can expect to see more competitive pricing or better value-for-money mobile service deals, even those who choose to remain with their current mobile operator should benefit. We can expect even more exciting times ahead for our mobile market with Full Mobile Number Portability, and consumers will be the biggest winners.'
The move is also expected to open the doors to new business opportunities for non-traditional telecommunication service providers like wireless broadband providers and Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers. Its centralised database infrastructure will be well-placed to facilitate the entry of new players and evolution of new capabilities and services in today's converged voice and data space.
IDA said the migration of the 130,000 mobile subscribers who have ported their numbers under the call-forwarding solution will start from April 22.
These subscribers will be contacted by their current mobile operators, who will advise them on the migration procedures.
They will have to decide by May 14 which number to keep.
The migration exercise will be completed by June 13 June, when the new service is available for all consumers.
IDA said it has been working closely with the industry to bring Full Mobile Number Portability to the market, and will continue to monitor the final steps towards its launch.
|
