MNP in 2008

From 1st December 2008, mobile telephone users across the Channel Islands will be able to keep their mobile number when they change service provider.

The initiative is the result of a meeting jointly hosted by the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (“JCRA”) and Guernsey’s Office of Utility Regulation (“OUR”) on Friday, 8 February 2008, where the Chief Executives of the three mobile operators in the Channel Islands agreed to implement mobile number portability (“MNP”) by the start of December.

“The operators’ agreement to simultaneously implement MNP across the islands is an extremely welcome development,” said John Curran, Director General at the OUR. “For a customer to be able to change mobile operator whilst keeping their mobile number should provide an enormous benefit to consumers and also significantly boost competition in the mobile markets in both Bailiwicks.”

The agreement follows the suspension, in December, of an appeal brought by Jersey Telecom against the JCRA’s decision on the implementation of MNP in Jersey. The reason for this suspension was to explore whether an appropriate pan-Channel Islands solution to MNP might be achieved without the need for further court proceedings. The agreement reached on Friday is the successful fruition of these efforts, and will result in the introduction of MNP in both islands on a co-operative basis.

“Ensuring consumers gain the full benefit of competition is of paramount importance to both regulators and the constructive approach taken by all three operators is to be applauded.” said Chuck Webb, Executive Director at the JCRA. “The agreement was reached under the joint auspices of the JCRA and OUR, and both authorities now intend to work closely together during the ensuing implementation process, speaking with one voice to achieve our common goal of MNP for the benefit of consumers in both islands.”

Gregory Jordan, Sure's Channel Islands Commercial Director, commented: “This is an important victory for mobile customers. We will work with all other parties to introduce MNP by 1st December 2008. We will also continue to advocate a true level playing field in the Channel Islands so that customers are eventually completely free to choose the operator which offers the best value mobile service.”

A Steering Group jointly chaired on behalf of the OUR and JCRA will be established to oversee this process, with the first meeting taking place next week.