National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Moldova

After mobile number portability was launched on July 1, 2013, in the timeframe July – December 2013, an average of over 4400 numbers were ported monthly, while after the implementation of this service in fixed networks on August 1 2013, in the timeframe August – December 2013, an average of 540 numbers were ported monthly, shows a Report of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) about the development of the number portability service in 2013.

According to the report, in the indicated timeframe, a total of 29 159 numbers were ported, of which 26 450 (90,7%) – mobile numbers and 2 709 (9,3%) – fixed numbers. Most mobile numbers – 6 302 – were ported in July, when the mobile number portability was launched. In the other months this indicator varied between 3 810 and 5 503 monthly ported numbers. In fixed networks the monthly dynamics of ported numbers grew from 227 in August to 760 – in November 2013.

In the opinion of ANRCETI Director, Grigore Varanita, the volume of ported numbers during this short interval demonstrates that number portability is functioning in Moldova and telephone users are well aware of the benefits this service offers. The main point is that as a result of number portability implementation, service users enjoy an enhanced freedom of choice and power of negotiation with the providers, a factor which makes the latter do their best to retain their subscribers and be attract new users through more convenient offers, for more favorable rates, Grigore Varanita emphasized.

Number portability is a service for telephone service end users, which enables them to keep their telephone number when switching providers. Currently, this service is implemented in more than 70 countries, including Moldova. From 1 July and August 1, 2013, any mobile and any fixed telephone user in this country can benefit from the porting service within maximum 5 working days from the request made to the chosen provider.

Additional information about telephone number portability are available on www.portare.md.

January 10, 2014