Government says mobile number portability in three months but AIS says one year

By John Le Fevre

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Mobile phone users will soon be able to switch their phone numbers between carriers after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) endorsed the regulations requiring it.

The newly approved, but long awaited, regulations on telephone number portability will be implemented next month, after being published in the Royal Gazette.

The regulations say a mobile phone carriers must provide the ability for customers to transfer their existing telephone number drom one carrier to another within three months of being gazetted.

However, Thailand’s largest GSM carrier, Advanced Info Service (AIS), operators of the AIS, Datanet and GSM 1800 products and owned by Shin Corporation, claims the three months within which carriers must comply is unrealistic.

AIS president Wichian Mektrakarn said in practice the process will take more than a year.

Wichian said operators need time to set up the system for transferring numbers, and will need to evaluate suitable, competing products. Installing and testing the software, as well as altering customer service agreements, will also take time, he said.

NTC commissioner Sudharm Yoonaidharma, said the commission and the Consumer Protection Committee would accept any complaints from customers of mobile carriers that refused to follow the new regulations beginning in November.

Another issue that carriers also need to address is how to transfer pre-paid accounts containing a credit from one to the other.

Sudharm said the NTC isn’t concerned how the matter is resolved, but a suitable solution must be found within the three months.

The regulations also set the maximum fee that can be charged for transferring numbers at not more than the cost of a new, prepaid Sim card, which is currently Bt50 (about $US1.47).

-- thaivisa.com 2009-07-19

Did this ever happen? I am sick to death of True but wish to keep my number.

Supposed to happen beginning of 2010 but I have a feeling operators will resist it tooth and nail. They like things just the way they are...

Did this ever happen? I am sick to death of True but wish to keep my number.

Could you elaborate? I just had a row with DTAC and if portability would be available already, I would be TRUE customer now.

Any update on number portability for Bangkok?

Probably gonna happen around the same time they introduce 3G... possibly never...

Did this ever happen? I am sick to death of True but wish to keep my number.

Could you elaborate? I just had a row with DTAC and if portability would be available already, I would be TRUE customer now.

And I just had a fight with AIS. I wish I could move to another provider.

Morale of the story: They are all bad and customer service is non-existent once you have a real problem. So might as well stay.

Does AIS have 3G? http://twitpic.com/2zghur

OK,let say that I have it from a Director of a mobile company in the U.S. Porting is a nightmare for mobile companies.. It's about the switching device and its ability to change. In some cases a new switch or big mods to others will be needed. Next, the mobile providers need to be on the same line of teck. Matters not as to the platform, GSM, CDMA, EDGE, or what ever! Me, I wouldn't hold my breath!

Five mobile phone companies, including AIS, DTAC, True Move, CAT, and TOT, will begin offering the service on December 15th.