Baku, Finance Time.  Bakcell, The First Mobile Operator and The Leading Mobile Internet Provider of Azerbaijan is pleased to announce that the network of the company is fully ready to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The launch date depends on the decision of Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies (MCIT). 

The preparation works have been carried out in accordance with the recommendations of MCIT.

 “We are ready to start today but this is a service that all operators must launch together so we are forced to wait for the other operators”, says Mr. Richard Shearer, Bakcell CEO.

Bakcell started preparing for the introduction of MNP in January 2012. The first step was the implementation of the new 10 digit dialing, 055 prefix before the number to make on-net calls.

“We have invested significant time and money into the development of our MNP and in meeting compliance issues with the MCIT. Our systems are technically ready and have passed internal acceptance tests. Bakcell is sure that MNP will increase competition in Azerbaijan’s mobile communication market and is very committed to the introduction of MNP. It’s been shown in other markets to increase customer choice, which is always a good thing. We see a significant opportunity for Bakcell in the corporate segment and also the national businesses segment. Bakcell’s revenues and profits mostly come from the consumer market and we see opportunities to move into the big international corporates and also large national businesses operating in Azerbaijan, which for one reason or another generally have accounts with our competitors. We think the credibility we have built up in the consumer market puts us in a very good position to move into these segments”, added Mr. Shearer.

MNP is the ability to change mobile service provider without changing phone number; thus customers will have the ability to shift from one mobile operator to another one without changing their mobile number.