What is Mobile Number Portability (MNP)?
MNP is a service offered by all mobile service providers that allows you to switch over to another service provider while retaining your existing mobile phone number. This process is called porting. You will however require a new SIM card from the network you join as explained below.
Who is a recipient operator?
The mobile service provider to which you want to switch while keeping your current number will be the recipient operator. Example, if you want to switch your number to Safaricom‚ then Safaricom is the recipient operator.
What is a Donor operator?
Your current mobile service provider from which you want to switch your number will be the donor operator.
What are the benefits of Mobile Number Portability to the customer?
It allows a customer to choose the network they prefer. For example by choosing Safaricom you will join the largest network in Kenya and enjoy the following products and services, among others:
- M-PESA services
- Fastest data speeds on 3G network.
- Bonga Points Rewards.
- Okoa Jahazi
- Skiza Service
- Safaricom Live - Mobile Internet
- Unlimited SMSBlackberry Services
What should I do before I port my number?
- Back-up all contacts saved on your current operator SIM card;
- Pay up any credit advance you may have borrowed against your PrePay account;
- You should use up or retrieve any funds in a money transfer account (for example M-PESA) held against the number you wish to port;
- Pay up all moneys you may owe your current operator on your PostPay account. You may contact your operator to find out your final outstanding balance prior to porting.
What are the identification documents required for porting?
The identification documents required to authorise porting include:
- Kenyan national identity card
- Valid Passport
- Military identity card
- Work Permit
- Alien card
- Valid driving license
- National identity card issued by parent country
- Certificate of incorporation or Certificate of registration (For corporate accounts)
How do I port my number to Safaricom?
- Visit a Safaricom Retail Shop.
- Fill out a Number Porting Request Form and submit copies of the identification documents specified in the form
- Sign the Number Porting Request Form as a declaration that you understand and consent to the porting
- Pay a fee of Kshs. 200 inclusive of VAT. This is the payment prescribed by CCK.
- Send an SMS requesting to port (which is free of charge) to short-code number 1501. Safaricom’s Retail Agents will assist you with these procedures.
Can I make my porting request online?
No. You are required to visit a Safaricom Retail Shop and to follow the process described above.
What is the fee for porting a number?
The cost prescribed by CCK for porting a number is KShs.200.
How long does it take to port my number?
Porting to Safaricom should take a maximum of two working days between Monday to Friday. Porting will not take place on Saturdays, Sundays and all Public holidays.
Will I be issued with a new SIM card?
Yes, after signing the Number Porting Request Form Safaricom will issue you with a new SIM card.
Please note that you will be required to register your new SIM card in accordance with the CCK SIM Registration requirements.
You will continue to use your SIM from your current operator until you receive a notification message to insert your new Safaricom SIM card in your mobile phone when the porting process is successfully completed.
Can Prepay customers port their numbers?
Yes. Prepay customers can request for either PrePay or PostPay services with the recipient operator.
Can I port out if I am a PostPay customer on contract?
Yes. You will be expected to settle all your outstanding balances including your unbilled amounts and maybe required to settle early contract termination charges.
I have a company mobile number, will I be allowed to port?
You will need written permission from your company’s contact person authorising the porting request.
Can I make a porting request on behalf of my organization?
Yes. A porting request made on behalf of an organisation shall be accompanied by a letter of authority on the company’s letterhead signed by an authorised signatory.
What is the Cooling off period?
It is a 14 day period after porting within which you are allowed to go back to your donor operator. You will not be charged early termination fees if you exercise this option.
How frequently can a number be ported?
You can only port to a new operator after being with your current operator for a period of not less than 60 calendar days from your last successful port.
Can I postpone or defer my porting request?
Yes.
You can indicate a future date when you wish to port your number. However this shall not be more than 58 days from the date you submit your porting request.
Can I cancel my porting request?
No, you cannot cancel your port request after sending an SMS to 1501.
How will I know that my porting request has been successful?
You will receive SMS notifications during the porting process. If your request has not been successful you will need to contact your recipient operator (that is the operator you wish to join).
What happens to my airtime balance?
Your credit will be lost upon successful porting and will not be carried forward.
What happens to my M-PESA account?
You will lose the ability to use M-PESA if you port to another network. Any unutilized M-PESA balance at the time of porting will not be accessible to you once you move to another operator. The balance will be transferred to a holding account and can be refunded on request.
What happens to my M-KESHO and Safaricom I&M Visa Card?
You will lose the convenience of banking via M-PESA on the M-KESHO and I&M Visa Card platforms. You can still continue to bank with Equity and I&M but. You will have to visit the banks to carry out transactions.
Will I be able to move with all the products and services I currently have to my new service provider?
No.
You will need to specify which services or products you will require and may still be subject to the new operators’ eligibility requirements. You are only porting you number and not the services. Example you cannot port out with your Bonga points or M-PESA.
Can my Port Request be declined?
Yes.
The Donor network can decline your request due to various reasons such as:
- Non-payment of moneys owed or if information provided is incorrect.
- Your porting request may also be rejected if your number is blacklisted or suspended
- or if your number is subject to another pending porting request or has been ported within the last 60days.
Can anyone maliciously port my number?
This is unlikely as many precautions and security checks have been put into place to prevent this from happening.
How will I know that the person I am calling has ported or is no longer on my network?
When you call a number that has been ported you will first hear an audible warning tone (3 beeps) before the phone rings. The tariffs for calling or sending an SMS to another network will be applicable.
What happens if calls to my number do not go through after port in is completed?
You should immediately contact your new operator.
Will I still be able to call and use the same services during the porting process?
Yes, you are entitled to enjoy the services of your current mobile operator until the porting of your number has been successfully concluded. However Okoa Jahazi and Roaming will not be available.
You can get more information on our website www.safaricom.co.ke or by contacting Safaricom’s care Centre on the following numbers
- PrePay 0722002100
- PostPay 0722002200
This is the great info about MNP. I was looking for the information and you have shared. After reading your content, I got the info that how we can change the number. Mobile number portability in India can be used everywhere.
ReplyDeleteGreat post about MNP! Porting phone number to USA carriers is also not very complicated if one understands how porting works.
ReplyDelete