Sure takes the sting out of MNP

Sure is making sure its customers are not caught out with higher bills following the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) today. 
With MNP it will no longer be possible to tell which operator a mobile user is a customer of simply from their number.  This could mean some islanders incurring higher charges than they anticipate if they call someone who has switched provider and is therefore on a different network. 
However from today, Sure customers will hear a special tone when they call an 07781 number that is no longer on its network. 
The company’s Head of PR Steve Smith said customers need to know who they are calling, particularly if they are on a pay as you go tariff, or if they are on an older Cable & Wireless price plan. 
“It’s about looking after our customers, and making sure they don’t find themselves with larger than expected bills,” he said.
“Customers on Sure packages receive a generous bundle of inclusive minutes and texts each month, which include calls to other local mobiles and landlines and in many instances UK mobiles as well.  Provided they stay within this bundle it will not matter which network they call.”
“It is more of an issue for Pay as You Go customers, and those on older price plans, who need to know if they are calling someone on a different network.  We are making sure they do.” 
Mr Smith said the company did not expect large numbers of its customers to switch network as a result of MNP, but the new system would ensure no-one is caught out by the change.
“People choose the operator that offers the best value, the best coverage, and the best quality service.  That is what we aim to offer,’ he said.