Feasibility study on mobile number portability implementation in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Mobile telephone number is considered as a great asset to a mobile telephone user. Generally subscribers are reluctant to change their mobile telephone number as it requires him to communicate about his movement to each and every potential person that is trying to reach him via his mobile telephone. Mobile number portability is a network function that allows mobile subscriber to switch service provider while retaining the mobile telephone number. Many countries have implemented MNP services in their telecommunication network to date. In this research study the necessity and subscriber willingness to accept MNP services implemented in Sri Lankan telecommunication market was tested through a mobile subscriber survey. In addition statistics on reasons for subscriber churn and some demographic aspects of subscribers those are willing to accept MNP services also analyzed through the responses collected on survey. Different MNP implementation architectures were analyzed in detailed with call flows. Advantages and disadvantages of each implementation architectures was identified and compared. The list of modification required in mobile service provider’s core network under each architecture was identified and feasibility of implementing each architecture was discussed with mobile telecom service providers in Sri Lanka. Analysis and comparison of costs involved in each different MNP implementation architecture was performed. The recommendations on implementable MNP architecture was given based on the feasibility and cost analysis using the statistics prediction made through subscriber survey.