The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed the much awaited Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will be officially launched on March 26.
The commission’s director of public affairs, Tony Ojobo, told a morning television show in Lagos: “There will be a launch by the end of the month, we are going to flag it off. So we are looking at the 26th of March or thereabout.”
He however stated that customers who are yet to register their SIMs will not be able to enjoy the service while the commission will slam sanctions on network operators attempting to woo subscribers that had submitted application to other networks.
In a swift response, Nigerians have taken to the internet to air their views.
Several comments on Nairaland suggested Nigerians are in support of the NCC’s initiative.
Adewasco2k said: “I am just happy because MTN must so sit up, because people are stuck with them just because they were the first stable network provider so alot of people have the number long and dont want to change it. [SIC]“
Puskin however advised Nigerians to exercise caution in their jubilation since the regulatory has repeatedly shifted the official date for the launch of MNP in Nigeria.
“Don’t worry…..when that date reaches…..another story will come out why the MNP date had to be shifted yet again,” Puskin said.
Jedisco however commended the NCC for this and several other recent bold steps, advising the commission to focus on lowering the cost of mobile data services.
“Nice move by the NCC. They have been doing quite well lately with the reduction in SMS price, putting a stop to useless promos e.t.c. I think what is left now is for them to drastically reduce mobile data prices and improve quality of services offered,” Jedisco said.
