Cell Number Portability Set To Start March 3rd
[Updated] Number Portability for mobile to mobile is set to start on Monday 3rd March, and from this date onward all mobile customers will have the ability to keep their numbers when changing carriers.
The Regulatory Authority said, “In preparation for the implementation of number portability, many of Bermuda’s carriers had to make changes to their networks. The Regulatory Authority would like to thank all carriers for their work in the last year on this matter.
“Digicel has written to the Regulatory Authority requesting an extension of four months within which to implement number portability.
“The Authority declined Digicel’s request, citing the detrimental effect an extension would have on the public, who have been expecting number portability since August and on the other carriers who have worked to meet the stated Monday launch date.
“Digicel has signaled an intention to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. At the time of writing this notice the Authority had received no notice of official court action. The Regulatory Authority will be monitoring the situation and informing the public accordingly.”
Update 6.09pm: The RA said, “Digicel has informed the Regulatory Authority this evening, at approximately 5.45, that it would after all be ready to introduce Number Portability on Monday, 3 March, together with the other carriers. The Authority is pleased with this development, and thanks everyone concerned for their hard work to be ready for this date.”
Update 6.42pm: In response, Digicel said, “Digicel is – and has always been – supportive of the introduction of number portability in Bermuda. In fact, Digicel has been working very closely with both the Regulatory Authority and the key industry players to ensure that a practiced and professional experience is delivered to all customers in Bermuda.
“Over the past number of months, the entire Digicel Bermuda team has been working around the clock to ensure it delivers the best and most seamless switching experience to all customers come Monday 3rd March and, is now fully on track – and looking forward – to doing so.
Digicel Bermuda CEO, Wayne Caines, said; “At Digicel, the customer experience is at the very heart of everything we do. As such, we have been working really hard to ensure that with the introduction of local number portability, we can deliver the most seamless experience possible.
“And, from Monday March 3rd, we will be doing just that! In addition, we have been listening to our customers and what they want and we have a special offer to announce in support of LNP for both current and new customers on Monday.”
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Why is Digicel asking for more time when this matter has been on the table for more than two years already?
I think Digicel is worried, but I do know for a fact that the RA didn’t gazette number portability appropriately. The gazetting of it was to signal the time that carries had to be in compliance. The RA didn’t do it’s just properly, but Digicel has been involved with this process the entire time. So they knew the date.
I just don’t think they’re really ready for this as their network isn’t that good. Doesn’t really matter what promotions they have to offer if your customers can’t receive calls when they need to. My friends are always sitting by a window to have a phone call.
Btw, I’m a Digicel customer. Not saying I’m going to switch for sure. But I’m not the most pleased with their service. I’d be most happy if they made announcements about improvements to their network.
digiSMELL must be skurd and wants to stall cause they might loose a lot of biz.
see you soon cell1
This is good but what i would like is no more contracts now that’s news
You can have service at both of the carriers if you wish, they only ask for a contract when they subsidize the cost of the phone. And yes, phones cost more in Bermuda. Why, because they purchase in smaller quantities than the big carriers thus pay a premium, then there is customs duty and shipping.
They make very little on the 2 year contract price.
So wait… what?? The Regulatory Authority is all “they’re not ready!” and didn’t even bother to check with them first??? Hahaha. What a joke! Run to the press first, ask questions later!
And here I was thinking that at long last I could transfer my well established land line number to a cell phone .
At least that’s what the very early reports hinted at ’cause they never said it would not apply to TELCO numbers.
If you can I bet a lot of people would take their landline to a mobile provider.
Anyone know?
for the love of jah, cellone prepare for an influx of business starting monday. digiSMELL has gone to the penguins.
Typical that Digi use a cheap publicity stunt to announce a “special offer”.
“Over the past number of months, the entire Digicel Bermuda team has been working around the clock…”
Yeeeeaaaahhhhh, right.
around the digiSMELL clock HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Dodgycell Have been fighting this (and unlocking phones) since day 1, I’m surprised that they even bothered to listen to the RA, but, from what I understand the whole process sucks….
We’ll. see on Monday id dodgy will let a number go.. And unlock the phone!!!!
Am I the only one who thinks this is an odd “story”? Why did the Regulatory Authority turn its release about number portability into a story on Digicel requesting extra time? When was that request even made? Apparently one hour after this statement, Digicel confirmed that it’s actually ready for number portability like everyone else… isn’t that something the Regulatory Authority would have been aware of? Or checked? Who is handling their PR??? Very strange.
I thought I was the only one that noticed…
Great new, well done.
You can have your elaborate telecomunication ,telephones,teletype,…..I have tell a woman….I’m in St. Georges,I have a cold and I sneeze,I leave St. georges and arrive in dockyard in a half an hour…I’m met at the dock by a woman and she’ got a kleenex and a cup of lemon grass and honey tea with a knob hill chaser…and I haven’t said a thing!
Digicel was fully aware of the changes from the get go. The RA isn’t to blame here. This is so typical of Mr. Caines and his crew. The whole flip flop thing behind their request for an extension then saying their ready is the only fishy thing in here. If you don’t think the RA was in touch with them during the process, you’re naive. Just because each conversation over the course of time hasn’t been published doesn’t mean they haven’t been in contact. The RA gave a deadline to the industry. It shouldn’t be about whether Digicel is ready or not, they aren’t running the show. Bermuda has been waiting for this long enough. Mr. Caines, maybe if you spent more time in the office instead of in front of a camera you wouldn’t have needed to request an extension.
I so agree with you. The RA needs to make thus right.
I so agree with you. They have had plenty of notice. The RA needs to put their foot down. Digicel is playing games.
I see number portability is coming, I will consider a move, you guys can say what you want about Digicel, I use them when I travel all over the Caribbean and I love my Digicel internet and my kids have pre-paid phones with them. I have had a cellone phone 10 year ago and I love and need my number. I will switch and have all my services with Digicel next week.
LONG overdue…. number portability has been a fact of life in other jurisdictions for years! It is only because the local carriers want to put roadblocks (like locked cell phones!!!) in the way of their customers who might want to opt for better service elsewhere that this has persisted for so long.
Personally I was never happier than when I ditched Digicel – their numerous promotional text messages that arrived in the middle of the night when I was abroad were the last straw.
what the RA needs to do is get rid o contracts and bring the mobile charges down also the price of a cell phone in Bermuda is crazy
go online check out cellular loco that’s where the providers get their phones and they only bring in 16mg seldom 64mg or 32mg
Sounds to me like Digicel got a rough ride from the Regulator. They’ve got a better network and my bill is lower with them so I’ll be staying anyway.
Cell one isn’t all its cracked up to be. The service is good however their billing is horrible. One day you’ll wake up with a $1K bill wondering why…
Don’t say you haven’t been warned…
probably because you fell asleep streaming something on the phone… You’d have the same bill with Digicel!!
Hummmmmmm Digicel again? jeeeezuzzzzzz
I’m ready to switch from CellCrumb, their customer service is soooo slow to answer and people not from Bermuda. If I can keep my number I’m better off switching and getting rid of this crumby service.
I guess you’re taking my spot at digihell cause I’m going to cell crumb.