The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) requires mobile service providers to offer post-paid to post-paid number porting and pre-paid to pre-paid number porting between service providers ("Allow customers to keep mobile number when converting to pre-paid plan" by Mr Lim Tong Wah; Forum Online, Sept 21).

This requirement has been in place since 1997 and 2008 respectively. It allows consumers to switch service providers with greater ease, as well as facilitate competition.

IMDA notes that the current demand for post-paid to pre-paid number porting (and vice versa) is low.

Hence, if IMDA requires that mobile service providers implement post-paid to pre-paid number porting when the demand is low, the cost of implementation may be passed on to consumers, leading to higher charges.

Thus, IMDA would let mobile service providers offer this service option commercially, in response to market demand.

Ann Chan (Ms)
Director
Regulatory and Corporate Communications
Communications Division
Infocomm Media Development Authority