DUBAI – UAE residents from the Philippines – once dubbed the texting capital of the world – are elated over the decision of the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to allow customers of rival operators etisalat and du to switch service providers while being able to retain their mobile number.
The new regulation on mobile number portability, which is now expected to begin next month, will benefit consumers through increased competition in the information and communications technology sector.
“Wow, this is definitely good news for me,” said Grace Tante, an Abu Dhabi-based HR professional. “You know I just changed my SIM card and I want to revert to my old number. I will probably do that and wait until December. This means less hassle for me,” she said.
“Should I decide to switch, being able to keep my number would save me the trouble of having to send each and everyone in my phone book an SMS to update them on my contact details,” said Ailyn Mayor, an office manager. She added, though, that she has no plans at the moment to switch to a different provider.
“It’s an added value although nothing life-changing. Still, it’s a welcome development,” said Arvin Dauz, a manager at an advertising and public relations company.
In a statement, Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director-General, said: “An essential element in the health of the UAE’s mobile market is the ability of consumers to choose between competing providers. UAE mobile phone users have the right – if they wish – to retain their mobile telephone number and this is the motivation behind the announcement.”
He added: “Mobile number portability will increase competition in the UAE’s ICT market, expedite the switching process, and do so in a way that directly benefits the consumer.”
Currently, 73.8 per cent of the UAE population have active smartphone numbers. Around 181 per cent of the UAE population have active feature phone numbers, which means that some residents maintain more than one mobile number. A feature phone is a mobile phone that lacks the advanced functionality of a smartphone but carries features such as the ability to access the Internet and store and play music.
The change in the UAE telecom regulation comes amid the rising importance of the phone as a device that complements one’s lifestyle and habits.
Almost all Filipinos in the UAE own a mobile phone – a device that links them to their home country and which they use for text messaging, listening to music, taking photos or videos, and playing games.
Many also use their phones to browse the Internet, check emails, and access social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
