Sure, the mobile phone service from Cable &
Wireless, has expressed its concern that an apparent deal between
Jersey Telecom and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority
(JCRA) to settle their legal dispute over mobile number portability
(MNP) out of court may not be in the interests of the Jersey
public.
Steve Smith, Head of PR for Sure mobile in the
Channel Islands & Isle of Man, commented:
"In correspondence with Jersey Telecom Chuck
Webb, the executive director of the JCRA, has indicated that MNP
has to be implemented in Jersey during 2008 and that the timing of
MNP in this island cannot be influenced by the timetable in
Guernsey. We agree with both those points and maintain that we are
committed to implementing MNP in Guernsey no later than six months
after it has been implemented here, where negotiations are already
at an advanced stage."
He added:
"We note that Jersey Telecom has had months in
which to propose a compromise solution which genuinely takes into
account the wishes of local customers, and the interests of the
other two operators. Instead, the company has chosen to move just a
few hours before the Court hearing. The implications are clear and
we look to the JCRA to ensure that this does not become yet another
ploy to delay matters further. The JCRA's direction in August was
quite clear, as was Jersey Telecom's defiance of it. Let us be
absolutely clear – further delay is not in the interests of the
Jersey public. It is they, small businesses in particular, who feel
trapped paying Jersey Telecom's high mobile prices."
MNP is the term used to define a system
allowing customers to keep their existing number when moving
between operators. The JCRA's own research indicated that 91% of
islanders surveyed felt it would be important or very important to
keep their number if switching operator. Sure mobile has identified
that lack of MNP is a particular issue for business customers, with
a large number of small to medium sized enterprises feeling unable
to change to a better value mobile network.
On 13th August 2007, the Jersey
Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) issued a final notice to
Jersey Telecom, Cable & Wireless and Jersey Airtel to implement
MNP by 12 February 2008 at latest. Jersey Telecom responded by
taking the regulator to the Royal Court and further delaying the
implementation of MNP.
Following further discussions with Jersey
Telecom the JCRA has now indicated that the court hearing could be
delayed if all operators agree to meet with both the JCRA and
Guernsey's Office of Utility Regulation (OUR) to discuss a possible
new solution called Porting XS.
Mr Smith reiterated Sure mobile's commitment to
continue lobbying for a solution to MNP to be implemented in Jersey
as early as possible in 2008. The operator will ask the JCRA to
ensure that there is no further delay and that all operators are
fully consulted on the best solution for each island.