Ofcom sets 2-hour deadline for mobile number porting (UK)UK regulator Ofcom set new rules to allow consumers keep their mobile number when they switch providers. Under the new rules, consumers will be able to receive calls using their existing number within two hours of moving to a new mobile network. The rules are expected to strengthen competition and consumer convenience, and it will also help protect consumers from the risk of losing calls if their old providers’ network fails. The move follows Ofcom’s earlier decision to reduce mobile number porting lead times from five days to two days from 1 April 2008. Two-hour transfers for mobile numbers must now be implemented by 1 September 2009. In addition, mobile operators will have to ensure that the new porting process includes the necessary levels of protection for consumers. Ofcom also advises mobile operators to co-operate to create a common regulated database to handle calls in order to bring more efficient call routing. This will ensure that consumers are not affected by problems with their old their network, after they have ported their number. The new database will remove dependency on the previous network by routing calls to ported numbers directly to the new provider’s network without the need for the call to travel over the previous network.
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