As plans advance for the introduction of number portability in Jamaica, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has invited entities interested in a licence to provide Number Portability Administration Services to submit their applications.

Number portability will mean that customers will be able to retain their existing telephone numbers across networks - choosing a service provider based on service, quality, and price, rather than on a desire to retain a particular telephone number.

Customers will be able to change service providers while avoiding the inconvenience, costs and risks associated with changing numbers. Number portability will promote competition by eliminating real or perceived barriers to customers switching service providers, making it easier for entry into the market by new players.

Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act, number portability falls under the remit of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining and it is the minister who places the obligation on telecommunications providers to provide number portability services.

Telecoms act

However, Section 37(1) of the Telecommunications Act vests the OUR with the responsibility to advise the minister on the making of rules, imposing on public telecommunications carriers the responsibility to offer number portability. The minister has set a target date of May 31, 2015 for implementation.

Applications must be submitted no later than December 1, 2014. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of this process in January 2015.