IDA: Low demand for post-paid to pre-paid porting

IDA: Low demand for post-paid to pre-paid porting

The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has required mobile service providers to offer post-paid to post-paid number porting, and pre-paid to pre-paid number porting, between service providers since 1997 and 2008 respectively ("Allow post-paid to pre-paid porting" by Mr Wong Siang Yeung; Sept 19). This allows consumers to switch service providers with greater ease as well as facilitates competition.

The last IDA consumer survey results in 2010 showed there was low demand for post-paid to pre-paid number porting (and vice versa), and we have since received few inquiries on these services.

The IDA had reviewed the cost to implement this service and, in the light of the current low demand, found that it does not justify mandating the mobile service providers to implement the service, as it may indirectly lead to higher charges for consumers as a whole.

Regardless of this, we understand that mobile service providers have made a commercial decision to offer pre-paid to post-paid number retention services. We will continue to monitor the developments in this area.

- Ng Sook Fun (Ms)

Director, Communication Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore


This article was first published on October 18, 2014.
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