LONDON-The Cellular Service Provider Group of the Federation of Communications Services in the United Kingdom said it opposes the Office of Telecommunications’ mandate that requires mobile phone operators to offer number portability in less than a year.
The FCS’ CSPG, which represents the interests of mobile phone operators in the United Kingdom, believes Oftel’s wish to force mobile number portability by mid-1998 is misguided. The group said the decision is based on unsound information and unsatisfactory technical solutions that are likely to result in increased costs for all telecommunications users and have a negative impact on the U.K. economy as a whole.
The study Oftel used to provide evidence that number portability is beneficial to the U.K. economy as a whole and that it should be introduced as soon as possible is flawed, said the group. CSPG recommends mobile number portability should be introduced only when it becomes cost effective.
