The draft number portability management method is released: users must meet five conditions at the same time

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When users apply for number portability service, they must first check with the current telecom business operator (referred to as the "number porting party") whether the number meets the portability conditions. Users must meet five conditions at the same time before the application can be made.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's website on July 31, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has formulated the "Interim Measures for the Administration of Number Portability Services (Draft for Comments)" and is now soliciting public opinions. The measures stipulate that users must meet five conditions at the same time to apply for number portability, and there are five precautions.

The Measures stipulate that when users apply for number portability service, they must first check with the current telecom business operator (referred to as the "porter") whether the number meets the portability conditions. Users must meet five conditions at the same time to apply for the service, which are as follows:

• (1) The number you are applying for number portability has been registered with real identity information at the porting party;
• (2) The number you are applying for number portability is in normal use (not reported lost, suspended, etc.);
• (3) The carrier has settled all the billed telecommunications charges for the number for which the number is being ported with the carrier from which the number is ported. If there are any unbilled telecommunications charges (such as international roaming charges), the carrier has agreed with the carrier on the time and method of payment;
• (iv) The number being ported has no agreement with the number porting party on a limited network term, or the limited network term has been lifted;
• (5) The number you are applying for number portability has been in the network for more than 120 days (natural days, the same below).

The Measures also stipulate that the carrier should clearly inform the user of five points of attention, which are issues that users need to pay attention to during the application process:

• (1) Due to differences in technology and equipment, users may need to change terminals;
• (2) The time when the user activates the new card and the network switching period may affect normal communication for a short time;
• (3) You must settle all outstanding charges with the number portability party when applying for number portability;
• (iv) The number portability matters must be promptly notified to the service provider of the number;
• (5) Other matters that should be notified.

The deadline for soliciting opinions on this draft is August 14, 2019. On March 5 this year, Premier Li Keqiang proposed in the "Government Work Report" that number portability should be implemented nationwide before the end of the year. Two months later, on May 14, Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to deploy further promotion of network speed increase and fee reduction, requiring the full implementation of "number portability" across the country before the end of November and in-depth preparations. Now there are only four months left until the deadline proposed by Premier Li Keqiang, and the release of this draft also means that the official launch of the number portability service is one step closer.