Cynthia V. Paul

Mobile Number Portability took a big step forward in Malaysia this week when the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the implementation is due to start in early 2008.

"The prefix number no longer determines what network a user is on," said Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) corporate communications head Adelina Iskandar.

"A user may retain a 019 number but actually be using Maxis or Digi as the service provider,” she added.

The MCMC, in their statement announced that a consortium made up of three companies, Talian Gerak Alih Sdn Bhd, Unified Communications Sdn Bhd and Telcordia Technologies Inc will operate and manage the Mobile Number Portability Clearinghouse (NPC) in Malaysia. The Consortium will operate and manage the MNP clearinghouse for 5 years with an option to continue for an additional 5 years, subject to satisfactory performance.

No details of actual charges incurred by subscribers when switching telcos have been announced yet.