UK telecom regulator pushes for same day number portability

Mobile number porting to get faster in UK with new rules

The process for transferring a mobile phone number from one network provider to another may soon get cut down to one working day in UK thanks to new rules set by Ofcom (independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries).

The new legislation is to take effect from 11 April 2011 and will allow anyone who wants to change his network provider to speed through the mobile number porting procedure in a jiffy as compared to the current two working days.

This definitely is a piece of good news for mobile phone users looking for a better deal and brings the UK in line with EU guidelines following a protracted debate between the interested parties going back over a number of years.

Customers looking to move their number would also benefit from an additional Ofcom decision that would see consumers get a special Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) over the phone or via a text message, a process that has been traditionally performed via a letter in the post, whereas according to the new approach customers would be notified within two hours.

According to Ofcom chief executive, Ed Richards, ensuring consumers would be able to switch by removing unnecessary barriers is one of Ofcom's priorities for 2010/11. He added that being able to switch quickly and easily between mobile providers was an important part of healthy and effective competition.