Press Release

Voluntary Implementation of Fixed Mobile Number Portability

The Telecommunications Authority ("TA") announced today ( 10 July 2009 ) his decision that telecommunications operators may provide the Fixed Mobile Number Portability ("FMNP") service on a voluntary basis.

"At present, a subscriber may port his fixed telephone number from one fixed network to another fixed network, and his mobile telephone number from one mobile network to another mobile network. However, number porting across mobile and fixed networks is not possible. If the FMNP service is in place, fixed or mobile service users may port their numbers to a fixed or a mobile network of their choice," a spokesperson of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) said.

"The TA's view is that the introduction of the FMNP service will provide a level playing field for mobile and fixed operators, promote cross-platform competition, and meet the need of those consumers who see a need for such a service. Moreover, the FMNP service is conducive to the more efficient use of telephone numbers, which is a scarce public resource . In deciding that the FMNP service may be provided by operators on a voluntary basis, the TA has duly considered the public demand for the FMNP service, overseas experience in similar services and the feedback received in response to a public consultation on the subject," the spokesperson said.

"Whether and when the FMNP service will be available in the market will be a commercial decision of the operators. Under the voluntary scheme, operators who wish to implement the FMNP service may collaborate with one another and negotiate the terms and conditions for collaboration on a commercial basis," continued the spokesperson.

The TA Statement which sets out the details of the voluntary implementation of the FMNP service may be downloaded from OFTA web site at www.ofta.gov.hk/en/tas/numbering/tas20090710.pdf

Background

In order to gauge the market demand for the FMNP service before deciding whether to introduce the service , the TA commissioned an independent consultant to conduct a market survey in early 2008. The survey result indicated that if the FMNP service was available for free, 25% of residential line users and 26% of business line users would opt for porting their fixed numbers to mobile networks.

In October 2008, the TA launched a public consultation on the FMNP service to solicit the views of the industry and the public on the proposed voluntary implementation of the service. The consultation ended on 19 January 2009 . After considering the submissions received, the TA has decided that operators may implement the FMNP service on a voluntary basis.

Office of the Telecommunications Authority
10 July 2009