Switch telco but keep your number from next month

2008/08/12
BERNAMA

KUCHING: From next month, mobile phone users in Kuala Lumpur will benefit from the "Mobile Number Portability (MNP)" system which allows them to switch service providers while retaining their numbers.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said users in the rest of the country would enjoy this benefit from October.

Telecommunication companies are allowed to charge a maximum of RM25 for the service.

Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan are among countries which have implemented this system.

Shaziman said the government intended to enhance mobile phone coverage from the present 92 per cent to 97 per cent by the end of 2010 through the "Time 3" programme.
Felda and Felcra sites, Orang Asli settlements, federal roads and new tourist spots will be covered.

Shaziman said through the "Time 3" programme, 1,250 telecommunication towers would be built in two phases.

Work on the first phase began last month and will be completed in December next year with 600 towers.

The second phase will involve the construction of 650 towers starting next July.

Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

In the case of Sarawak, Shaziman said 39 towers would be built under the first phase and 614 in the second at a cost of RM244 million.

"Mobile phone coverage in Sarawak will be enhanced to 85 per cent by the end of 2010." -- Bernama