TELECOM providers have blocked plans for mobile phone users to keep their number if they change network. While Guernsey operators have not supported an Office of Utility Regulation initiative to bring mobile number portability to the island, Jersey telecom providers could face legal action if they do not make the service available by February.

OUR director-general John Curran said it made sense to try to take advantage of the fact that the same mobile operators would be looking at this issue in Jersey as in Guernsey.

‘In March the OUR consulted on a proposal to work with Jersey on a joint solution aimed at introducing MNP in both islands,’ he said.

‘Clearly if a joint solution with Jersey could have been agreed, then there was the potential to enhance the benefits of mobile competition by introducing MNP in Guernsey.

‘At the time, however, there wasn’t support from all operators for this approach. The OUR is still considering the introduction of MNP in Guernsey as we believe it is a service that would have a lot of appeal to mobile users.’

It is not clear why the OUR has not instructed operators to work together to make MNP available to consumers, as is the case in Jersey.

Cable & Wireless, which provides the mobile service Sure, has already invested more than £500,000 in technology to enable number portability in Jersey and the same solution could be rolled out here.

Marketing director Mark Briers said the company would welcome such an approach once all operators were given an equal opportunity to compete.

‘If it is what customers want in Guernsey, then we would support it,’ he said. ‘That would first require there to be a fair and level playing field for competition here, with all operators having equal opportunity in terms of the services they are able to provide.’

‘That is what they have done in Jersey and we would welcome a similar approach here.’

The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority intends to insert a requirement into each operator’s licence for them to allow numbers to be transferable by February 2008.

Wave Telecom’s parent company, Jersey Telecom, withdrew from the process with objections about the likely cost.

However, none of Jersey Telecom’s alternatives allowed mobile users to keep their number and the company is now expected to work with the other operators to make the service available.

In Guernsey, Wave said MNP was regarded as a Channel Island issue and it was currently reviewing a copy of the JCRA’s final notice, to which it will respond by 12 September.