Mobile number portability: moving with the times

Author

John Lawford

Organization

Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)

Published

2005

Summary

Telephone number portability is an important issue for the telecommunications services industry. It has undeniable benefits for users of telecommunications networks. It also has costs for service providers. Currently, in Canada, telephone number portability is compulsory for major providers of basic telephone service (i.e. at fixed locations), but not for providers of mobile telephone services. The present paper discusses the desirability of making mobile number portability (MNP) mandatory in Canada. First, the report discusses the nature of MNP and the problem that it solves. To better understand the importance of MNP, PIAC then sketches the mobile services industry in Canada and the regulatory framework that applies to it; and then, the benefits and costs of mandatory MNP are also examined. The report concludes that the benefits to consumers outweigh the costs to providers.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database