A huge number of customers could not change operators on the inaugural day of the mobile number portability (MNP) service largely for a number of operators' reluctance to let their existing users go.

About 1,000 users, however, were successful.

The MNP is a service that empowers customers to switch to any operator keeping their existing mobile phone number. It helps improve service quality.

Banglalink said more than 500 customers attempted to join its network from other operators, but the success rate is around 30 percent from Robi and zero from Grameenphone.

“Since this was the first day, we believe there might have been some technical issues. However, we appreciate and thank the customers who have decided to join the Banglalink family,” said Taimur Rahman, senior director for corporate and regulatory affairs of the operator.

Robi and Banglalink complained to the telecom regulator about the rejection issue.

Syed Talat Kamal, head of external communications of Grameenphone, said, “We are very happy to welcome a good number of customers to our strong network on the first day.”

“We have also seen some of our valued customers opt for other operators which they are welcome to do.”

He said the MNP is an automated service, so there is no scope for non-cooperation.

Yesterday, 976 users tried to join Robi. Of them, 80 percent were from Grameenphone, but only 26 customers were successful on the day. 

Ekram Kabir, vice-president of Robi Axiata, said, “We have begun to provide the service to the people.”

He thanked the customers who have chosen Robi and Airtel on the very first day of the service.

Nine customers left state-run Teletalk, but nobody from other operators joined it.

With the MNP, Bangladesh became the 72nd country in the world to make the service available.

For the service, the government has fixed a fee of Tk 50, excluding 15 percent value-added tax, and the service will be available within 72 hours. To do so within 24 hours, another Tk 100 has to be paid.

In both cases, customers will require a visit to the customer care centres of recipient operators. Customers will also have to pay Tk 100 as SIM replacement tax. However, operators are giving subsidies to attract customers. Banglalink is allowing customers from its rival operators to join its network at only Tk 50 as the third largest operator is shouldering the replacement tax.

Robi, the second-largest operator, is charging Tk 149 for the service. In return, it is giving a good number of facilities to customers.

Market leader Grameenphone is charging Tk 155 for the service. Customers will have to wait at least 90 days to make another switch.

Infozillion BD Teletech, a joint venture between a Bangladeshi firm and a Slovenian firm, launched the service.

Md Jahirul Haque, acting chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, hopes that the MNP will change the telecom market dynamics for the better within a few months.

He said the service will enhance competition among the operators.

“The service will also ensure a level-playing field. All the operators, small or big, will have an equal opportunity in the business.”