Mobile Number Porting Hits 8000 – NCC Report

Rewinding the time to the last 10 months, statistics published by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), shows Nigeria recorded the highest number of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) activities in March 2022.

The report made available to TechTV shows that Mobile Network Operators recorded a total of 22,355 porting activities (outgoing) and 23,451 (incoming) which is a difference of 1,096.

In March 2022, the networks recorded 8,205 (outgoing) which is the highest in the last 10 months.

NCC also shows that the MNP incoming numbers stood at 2,202 as at March.

The mobile number porting service is a feature that allows subscribers of a network provider to transfer their SIM cards from one network provider to another without losing their phone numbers.

When the mobile number porting service was first launched in 2013, it came with the promise of being a revolutionary service with many of the service providers embarking on cost-effective campaigns trying to convince subscribers and users of other network providers to jump ship and pitch tents with them.

However, after the noise died down, it looks like many Nigerians are yet to take full advantage of the mobile number portability service. But that does not mean that the service is not being used at all.

With many Nigerians taking to social media to voice their displeasure with the quality of service they are afforded by their various service providers, you can be sure that there are some mobile number portings going on in the background.

According to the NCC report, MTN gained 1,452 new subscribers in March, followed by Globacom which gained 345 new subscribers, while Airtel followed in distant third gaining 290 with 9mobile far off after gaining a paltry 115 new subscribers.

Also, during the month, Airtel led the scoreboard of outgoing subscribers with 6,393 in comparison to 9mobile’s 1,370 and Glo’s 276 while MTN had 166 subscribers who ported away from the network.