Bulgaria Mobile Operators Said to Boycott Number Portability

The Bulgarian communications regulator has threatened mobile operators with sanctions for refusing to implement the wireless number portability service.

The regulatory body, the Communications Regulation Commission, said there is a sharp increase in complaints received from clients of the three mobile operators in the country – Mtel, Globul and Vivacom, claiming that they have been refused the service.

While the commission received 117 complaints in the second half of 2009, their number rose to nearly 300 since the beginning of 2010 till the middle of April.

“The analysis shows mobile operators deliberately boycott the portability service in a bid to discredit it,” the watchdog said in a statement.

According to insiders the fight for subscribers became particularly acrimonious after the Communications Regulation Commission announced plans to launch "one-stop-shop" portability service.

The mobile operators are scheduled to sign the agreement for the “one-stop-shop” service launch on May 10.

During a recent meeting with representatives of the commission, the mobile operators have voiced willingness to overcome the problems, which hamper the number portability service, the watchdog said.

The wireless number portability came into effect after Bulgaria's three mobile operators signed a framework agreement to make the service available between networks.

Bulgaria had to implement the service as soon as it joined the EU on January 1, 2007 but just ten days later the biggest mobile operator Mtel refused to join the agreement already signed by the other two wireless carriers.

The saga went on for the entire year, with the telecoms regulator intervening in August to speed up proceedings, but to no avail, giving the European Commission reason to start infringement procedures against Bulgaria over its telecoms regulator lacking independence and effectiveness.

The switch is done during the night for the convenience of the clients and takes no more than seven hours, during which the clients are not able to use their phones.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!