For the non-techies or plain Jane un-savvies, Number Portability is simply technology that allows the movement of a GSM number from one network operator to another without the number changing. Meaning, for example, you can decide to stop using GLO and change to Etisalat or stop using Airtel and change to MTN; and your GSM number will still remain the same. Did I just hear someone scream, “American Wonder!”? Yes, it is “do-able”… how it is done, is another matter entirely; but yes it is!
Basically, the motivation whole idea is to create “healthy”
competition amongst the network operators and sort of force them into improving
the quality of their services being and (or) at the same time, bring down
prices significantly. Also, giving the user the “freedom” of choice – the
freedom to move from one network to the other without the hassles of losing
contacts, the freedom to end their relationship with any operator they are not
happy with. That is the official line from the NCC, but could there be
something else in it that we do not see yet!?
So, while the mass of teeming GSM users await the new Number
Portability scheme to kick-off in earnest. The Telco companies have wasted no
time in launching not-so-subtle attacks against each other. Not quite the
dividends Nigerians are expecting from the introduction of “porting”; hopefully
they will soon drop the bickering and get down to the real business of
improving their services and reviewing their tariffs for the betterment of all.
So
get ready Nigeria… a new word may just have been added to our already vast,
unique collection of slangs; and knowing how humorously creative the average
Nigerian can be, I have no doubt that we will definitely be seeing and hearing several
exquisite variations and use of the word “port” in the coming weeks!
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