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PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is conducting a public consultation on the implementation of Fixed Number Portability (FNP).
FNP will allow customers to keep their landline number when they change service provider or location.
In its public consultation document “FNP Implementation in Malaysia”, MCMC asked 14 questions covering aspects such as types of FNP services, costs to industry players, the portability process and restrictions.
The regulator said that FNP will remove a significant barrier to choosing and changing clients, fostering competition in the fixed telephony market.
He added that with the growing popularity of bundled services, this could even influence the fixed broadband market.
In addition, several service providers have expressed interest in fixed line services and have supported the implementation of FNP since 2016.
This issue was raised again when the National Fiberization and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) was initiated in October 2018, which was replaced by the National Digital Infrastructure Plan (Jendela).
According to a feasibility study conducted by Aetha Consulting Limited, commissioned by MCMC, there were 6.48 million landline phone subscriptions at the end of 2019, supported by an increase in the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).
The study also found that the implementation of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has improved the competition and quality of mobile services since its launch in 2008, following a public consultation process in 2005.
He said demand for MNP has been high, with about a million applications each quarter since 2019, of which about half were approved.
In the proposal, MCMC reflected on the possibility for consumers to switch from landlines to mobiles (service portability), which is possible in the United States as it had a neutral numbering plan that did not distinguish between fixed and mobile services .
Also, unlike in Malaysia, telephone call charges are borne by the receiving party in the US.
The implementation of service portability will require a major renewal of the interconnection and numbering plan, he said.
Also, as this would disrupt the market for fixed line services, MCMC said it is not looking to add service portability at this time, although it could prevent customers from needing multiple voice services on fixed and mobile plans.
MCMC encouraged all interested parties to submit their proposals and responses by email ([email protected]) before the March 1 (12pm) deadline next year.
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