The three mobile operators, Cloud9, Manx Telecom, and Sure, have announced that Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will be available from the 29th June 2009. MNP enables customers to keep their existing mobile number when changing between service providers.

Carmel McLaughlin, Director of the Isle of Man Communications Commission, commented, "The Communications Commission welcomes the announcement that mobile number portability will be available to Isle of Man mobile phone users from the 29 June. I congratulate Manx Telecom, Sure and Cloud 9, for working together to give people the opportunity, should they wish, to switch operators without having to change their mobile phone number."

Spokesmen for Cloud9, Manx Telecom, and Sure, all gave a broad welcome to the introduction of mobile number portability.

Tony Fulford, Country Manager for Cloud9, said “Cloud9 has been fully involved and committed to the introduction of the number portability system for the benefit of the users in the Isle of Man; we will be offering number portability from the launch of our service.”

Manx Telecom Managing Director, Chris Hall, commented, “We welcome the introduction of number portability, something which can only benefit both business and residential customers. From the outset, we have worked with the Communications Commission, and with the other operators, to help bring this about, and to make it as easy and simple as possible for the customer. Of course, any move which increases competition in the marketplace has got to be a good idea, and mobile users will now be able to choose to remain with or change their provider solely on the basis of who is offering them the best deal. When they do so, we are confident that Manx Telecom’s flexible and competitive tariffs, wide range of products, unrivalled network coverage, and outstanding customer service, will be very attractive to the majority of Manx mobile users, now and in the future.”

Sure Country Manager, Mike Stanton, said, “The introduction of MNP removes a huge barrier to changing mobile provider and means that Isle of Man businesses and consumers can now make a choice truly based on service quality and cost.”

An informative Consumer Code has been compiled by Cloud9, Manx Telecom, and Sure, which answers many of the questions mobile users may have about the initiative, and sets out how the porting process will work.