Fixed number portability

Key messages

• Fixed number portability (FNP) is gaining ground throughout the world
• Take-up rates vary widely from one country to another
• FNP is not the key driver for switching
• More of a threat in the business market than amongst consumers
• Still much less of a threat than mobile number portability (MNP)
• Value for money and service differentiation is key to defending against the effects of FNP
• FNP is a two-way street
• Using a centralised database solution will future-proof FNP
• The growth of VoIP will bring a whole set of new challenges to number portability

Background

• Methods used for implementation
• Figure 1 Onward routing
• Figure 2 Call drop back
• Figure 3 Query on release
• Figure 4 All call query
• Figure 5 Pros and cons for the various methods used in number portability
• Availability of FNP
• Figure 6 Introduction of FNP

Impact of FNP

• Limited information reveals wide variations in take-up
• Figure 7 FNP within the EU
• Take-up affected by various national factors
• FNP is not key driver for switching in the residential market
• A bigger threat in the business market

Implications for fixed operators

• Do not overestimate the threat
• Figure 8 Take-up of FNP vs. MNP (as % of lines)
• Value for money represents the main defence against FNP
• Sharing the costs fairly
• FNP is a two-way street
• Future challenges