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MNP (mobile number portability) is a service that allows you to leave your phone number unchanged after moving to another telecom operator. It would seem that everything is simple. However, the procedure for porting a number is quite technically complex.
— Switching — the process of dialing a specific phone number becomes somewhat more complicated if the subscriber goes under the control of another operator. - Billing - the process of determining the cost also becomes more complicated. Since now the condition for a unique number code to belong to a specific operator is no longer relevant.
It is because of this that the procedure for introducing MNP technology is quite complex and at the same time very expensive.
What does the transition process look like?
1. The subscriber comes to the office of the new operator and writes a transfer application.
2. The new operator sends a request to the CDC. There the application is registered and the porting process is started.
3. The “old” operator receives the application. Then it checks the subscriber for: absence of debt, absence of a transfer ban for 6 months. from the date of connection, etc.
4. If the check is successful, the “old” operator sends the estimated start date of the transfer. Usually - about 7 full days after the end of the inspection. During this period, the “old” operator tries to find out from the subscriber the reasons for the transition. And he persuades him to stay in the “old” company.
5. On the appointed day and time, the “small portation” stage begins. Key stakeholders make changes to their systems. And after which the subscriber’s new SIM card will be able to work in the new network. The process is started by the “old” operator. It deactivates the subscriber in its systems - HLR and billing.
6. Then the new operator activates his new subscriber. According to the regulations, this transition should not take more than half an hour. After all, the subscriber remains completely without communication during this process.
7. The “old” operator then makes changes to its SFR. This is necessary so that calls from his network to his “former” subscriber are correctly sent to his new home network. This ends the “small portation” stage.
8. The CDPN uploads incremental data about the new RN of the ported subscriber to its database. And all affiliated operators collect this information once every 2 hours. And update their SRFs.
What to do before switching to another telecom operator
Before directly performing the procedure for switching to service under the terms of a new operator, the subscriber must pay attention to checking the following nuances regarding his current phone number:
- There should be no debts on the account to the old (current operator);
- The phone number must be registered exclusively in your full name (otherwise the transfer can only be performed if you have a power of attorney from the true owner of the SIM card);
- The transition must be carried out within one connection region.
Having dealt with questions regarding the Mobile Number Portability technology itself, we suggest briefly paying attention to how participants in the Russian cellular communications market implemented it.
Operators' concerns
Active discussion of the introduction of MNP in Russia began in December 2012. However, it was only in July 2013 that a resolution was signed regarding amendments to the Law “On Communications”. Since December 1, 2013, Russians have been allowed to keep their number when switching from one mobile operator to another.
Initially, telecom operators reacted extremely negatively to the idea of introducing number portability. They argued their position by the fact that the costs of introducing and maintaining the service would be too high in relation to the possible effect of it for consumers and the operators themselves.
In 2009, the Big Three estimated their MNP implementation costs at more than $400 million over 3-4 years. Operators have also expressed concerns that these additional costs could lead to higher prices for communication services for subscribers.
Transferring a number to MTS
It’s also easy to change your previous operator to MTS, keeping the same number:
- Find 1 of the MTS showrooms, write an application requesting a transfer and enter into an agreement for servicing the number that you will transfer. You need to have your passport with you. In this case, the number must be registered in your name (if not, take a power of attorney from the owner of the number);
- Pay for the service of transferring your number to the MTS network - 100 rubles (the money will be returned to your balance as bonuses after a successful transfer);
- After these “formalities”, select a tariff for a “temporary” number - your number will subsequently be transferred to this SIM card;
- Within a few days, the operator checks all data, debt, etc. During the verification process, you will receive an SMS about all stages of number transfer to the SIM card of the current operator and a new one from MTS;
- The day before switching to the MTS network, you will receive an SMS with the necessary instructions about when exactly (date and time) you will need to insert a new MTS SIM card into your phone/tablet.
Once the number porting procedure begins, your old card will no longer work. It is important that the number is transferred no earlier than on the eighth day from the date of submission of the application or on any other day at the request of the subscriber.
You can also submit a request to switch online. After sending it, an MTS representative will contact you to clarify the details of the transition and delivery of the SIM card and package of documents. When you transfer your number to MTS, the operator issues a SIM card with a temporary number with the tariff chosen by the subscriber. To activate a SIM card, you need to top up the balance of your temporary number by 200 rubles, 100 of which will be charged for the MNP service. After the porting is completed, you will receive a bonus of 100 rubles on your balance, which can be spent on communications, including the subscription fee according to the tariff.
Pros of MNP
But market participants have always recognized the advantages of introducing a number portability service. For example: subscriber freedom, development of market relations, possible reduction in prices due to competition and improvement in the quality of services. Operators predicted difficulties in the management and legal status of the central database of cellular subscribers.
At the initial stage of MNP implementation, it often happened that some individual operators did not always have time to make changes to call routing and signaling. Because of this, some ranges of numbers could be processed according to the previous scheme. That is, without the participation of SRF. Now this has practically been eliminated.
Some problems arise from failure to update local operator databases in a timely manner. The fact is that each major player has several SFR nodes and they are synchronized not directly with the CBDPN, but through the operator’s local BDPN. These processes somewhat reduce the efficiency of the portation procedure. The subscriber may notice this as a lack of incoming communication from some operators.
When in the fall of 2013 all telecom market participants criticized the organization of the MNP project, they were right. As expected, the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications announced clear rules very late. Nevertheless, it was possible to implement the project, but only due to the fact that Russia was not a pioneer in this area. At that time, there were ready-made solutions on the market: both for the CDPN and for each operator and vendor of its equipment. Therefore, the “abolition of mobile slavery” took place calmly and very successfully.
Implementation complexity
It is worth noting that the procedure for porting a number using MNP technology is quite technically complex. This complexity lies mainly in two aspects:
- Switching - the process of dialing a specific phone number becomes somewhat more complicated if the subscriber migrates under the control of another operator;
- Billing - the process of determining the cost of calls becomes more complex, since now the condition of the unique number code belonging to a specific operator is no longer relevant.
Video instructions on how to switch to another operator while maintaining your number
Directly due to the fact that the procedure for introducing MNP technology is quite complex, it also turns out to be very expensive. That is why operators in Russia do not offer such a service to their customers for free. However, even if transition payment is provided, it is very insignificant.
As for the timing of all operations for the correct and trouble-free transition of a subscriber from one operator to another, they often range from 1 day to 7-8 days. Most Russian operators adhere to the figure of 7-8 days.
In 2021 the picture was as follows:
Left operators since the start of MNP:
● MegaFon - 1.466 million subscribers. ● MTS - 1.344 million subscribers. ● Beeline - 947,000 subscribers. ● Tele2 - 458,000 subscribers. ● 860,000 subscribers left other operators.
We came to the operators since the start of MNP:
● 1.27 million subscribers came to Beeline. ● MTS - 1.199 million subscribers. ● MegaFon - 1.187 million subscribers. ● Tele2 - 880,000 subscribers. ● 539,000 subscribers came to other operators.
The operators MegaFon and MTS suffered the greatest losses. Beeline and Tele2 remained in the black.
Transferring a number to Tele2 and Yota
MNP transition to Tele2 and Yota is no different from the above described actions for other operators. Among the differences, we note that Tele2 offers to fill out an application online, receive documents both in the operator’s salon and by courier, and at the time of submitting the online application, you can specify your passport details to speed up the process. You choose which office you will need to come to when you fill out your application.
At Yota, you can use the delivery of a SIM card by courier, as with the usual connection of a new number. Also, to transfer from another operator, you can come to the company’s office, submit an application, and receive a SIM card with a temporary number. Please note that not all Yota sales points accept applications for number porting, and you can find out the nearest one on the website of the virtual telecom operator. Iota does not have many tariffs, and you can create your own in the mobile application.
Experience of foreign countries
Surprisingly, MNP migration technology is not such a new service. It was developed back in the late 90s. True, at that time it was implemented only in a number of European countries, as well as in the USA and Canada. MNP reached Russia 10 years later, earning correctly only in 2014.
The experience of foreign countries that introduced MNP several years ago has shown that the popularity of the service depends on several factors:
Finland
1. In most cases, MNP services were in demand only in the early stages of market development. Which is characterized by relatively low penetration, low quality of communication, gaps in coverage and limited competition (as a result - high tariffs).
For example, in Finland, where MNP services were used by about 20% of mobile subscribers by the end of the first year after implementation (and by now - more than half of subscribers). At the time of MNP's adoption in 2003, the penetration rate was about 90% (this figure in Russia is now 159%). And the operator Sonera dominated with a market share of 56%.
USA
2. On the contrary, in the USA the market at the time of the adoption of MNP in the same 2003 was already highly competitive and quite developed. Communication services were provided by 6 national and more than a hundred regional operators. According to experts, in the United States, a year after the introduction of MNP, 30 million subscribers should have used this service.
But in reality there were much fewer of them - only 7.8 million subscribers. The subscriber churn rate was also significantly lower than the expected values. Over the year it dropped to about 25%. And after another 2 years - up to 22% (according to forecasts, 44% and 40%, respectively).
Japan
3. In Japan, the market environment at the time of the adoption of MNP in October 2006 was very competitive and there was a wide variety of tariff plans. They offered big discounts to subscribers when concluding an annual contract, special conditions for family members, etc. This allowed Japanese operators to significantly increase the loyalty of their subscribers and reduce the churn rate.
In addition, for changing operators, subscribers were charged high fines upon termination of the contract (up to $87). In addition, the “new” operator did not offer the subscriber the same discounts that the “old” operator provided to him.
As a result, the introduction of MNP only led to a short-term increase in the churn rate. But the service itself turned out to be practically unclaimed. Thus, at the initial stage of MNP implementation, the number of applications to keep a number when changing mobile operators was only 0.2% of the total number of subscribers in Japan. This figure was significantly lower than expected (up to 30% of the subscriber base).
At the time of MNP implementation in the countries studied, the lowest subscriber churn rate was in Japan (4%). And the largest is in Brazil (34%). 5 years after the introduction of MNP in some countries (Poland, Australia, etc.), this figure increased. In others (USA, Japan, Brazil, etc.) it has decreased.
Transfer your number to MegaFon
MegaFon has a choice - leave an online application or fill out an application in the office. In the first case, you go to the operator’s website and fill out an online application for free delivery of documents and SIM.
As soon as the application to port a number to another operator’s network is reviewed and approved, a MegaFon specialist will deliver the necessary documentation to your address, issue a new SIM card, and help you choose a tariff. Now the operator offers to port the number to its network for free. Then you wait for the number to be ported. This can take from 8 days to 6 months - the date is determined at the discretion of the subscriber. During all actions to port the number, messages will be sent to the new and old SIM cards. In the second case, without an online application, you come to the nearest MegaFon communication store and fill out an application. Then you choose a tariff and receive a new SIM card. The transfer occurs within the same time frame as in the first case.
