The Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority (TPRA), in accordance with the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Act of 2018 and the Telecommunications Numbering Regulation of 2021, is responsible for preparing, supervising, and managing the national numbering plan. This plan is regularly updated to accommodate future growth and to integrate new technologies and services, ensuring the sufficiency of numbering resources in line with the recommendations of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Managing numbering resources by establishing regulations and procedures that ensure the preservation of this vital resource.
Ensuring the reservation and provision of sufficient numbering ranges for fixed and mobile network operators, as well as other telecommunications service providers.
Notifying the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) of changes and modifications to the numbering plan for publication.
Managing and allocating short codes, and monitoring their use to ensure the efficient utilization of the assigned numbering capacity in accordance with the plan.
Conducting regular studies on the usage of short codes and exploring ways to recycle them to maximize their benefits.
Objectives of Numbering Resource Management:
Providing sufficient numbering ranges to accommodate all different services.
Implementing a consistent numbering system that is easy for subscribers to understand.
Ensuring the efficient management of numbering ranges on a fair and equitable basis among operators.
Maintaining consistency in using specific numbering ranges for specific purposes, allowing subscribers to be aware of the type of service they are using and the potential cost.
Preventing the depletion of current numbering resources and ensuring long-term stability to minimize the need for frequent changes.
Number portability:
Number portability is a feature that allows users to retain their mobile phone number when switching from one service provider to another, giving them the freedom to choose the operator that best suits their needs without the risk of losing their number. The service is provided using a central system developed by the TPRA to manage number portability. This system connects all operators and controls all processes related to number transfers and other associated operations, in accordance with the 2016 Mobile Number Portability Regulations.
The process for subscribers wishing to port their number to another provider is as follows:
Visit one of the customer service centers of the new service provider to which the number is to be transferred.
Request the number portability service and provide the necessary information, including the name, identity verification, and the mobile number to be ported, along with the subscriber’s signature. The new service provider will then complete the required procedures as per TPRA regulations.
The subscriber must ensure that all outstanding financial dues related to the ported number are settled.e efficient management of numbering ranges on a fair and equitable basis among operators.
Upon completion of the porting process, the SIM card from the former service provider will be deactivated, and the SIM card from the new service provider will be activated.
