Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has been introduced to the cellular market in November 2006, giving you the ability to change your Service Provider or your Network without changing your mobile phone number.

MNP allows you the freedom to move or port your mobile phone number from any Service Provider or Network to another, while keeping your same number.

When making phone calls to other networks, you will hear a beep before the call is connected, which will be the indicator to notify you that the number you are dialing is off Network.

Service Providers and Networks will compete for your business by:

• reducing contract costs and call rates.
• offering more attractive specials and deals.
• increasing service levels during your contract period.
• offering you the choice to change between them while keeping your number.
• avoiding costs to change your number, reprint stationery and signage and loss of business from missed calls.

There will be some drawbacks, such as:

• cancellation costs for moving your contract to another Service Provider or Network.
• your current Value Added Services may be lost, and may not be offered by your new Service Provider or Network.

The steps to take when porting your number:

• Choose a new Service Provider
• Fill in a form with your chosen new Service Provider to port your number; Remember, don't cancel your current contract yet.
• Your new Service Provider will verify your details with your current Service Provider and do a credit check.
• If they're happy, the new Service Provider will arrange for your number to be ported.
• Give your current Service Provider or Network notice to cancel your current contract.
• Sign your new contract with your new Service Provider or Network.
• You'll receive a new SIM card and phone, if appropriate, after a few days.
• Your existing contract will be terminated by your previous Service Provider.

Things to remember:

• Choose a time and date to port that'll keep your porting costs low (end of your Contract).
• If porting a company phone, written permission is needed from your company.
• If your parents/spouse own your Contract, written permission is needed from them.
• You can only port every 60 days, from date of activation
• If your phone is locked you won't be able to port.
• Disconnected numbers can't be ported.
• If your number gets ported without your consent, contact your original Service Provider to reverse the process.
• Nashua Mobile has elected to absorb all porting costs up until February 2007. Thereafter we will re-evaluate our position on costs.

After lengthy use many prepaid users wish to convert their number to a Contract and stay on the same Network. This conversion is known as a number for life conversion. Previously Vodacom Prepaid numbers could only be converted with the Service Provider who had originally supplied the prepaid Starter Pack.

Number for Life conversions can now be performed on all three Networks irrespective of the original Service Provider and where the Starter Pack was purchased.

Often Prepaid users don't even know who their Service Provider is. They must simply choose the Service Provider and the Network and the Service Provider will arrange the port. This then is no longer known as a number for life conversion but seen as a Port.

This is not viewed as a Sale, but simply a Network Migration from one Network to another and will be dealt with by the Retentions department.

This forms part of the Port Process. A subscriber may stay on the same Network, however should the subscriber wish to change their Service Provider and remain on the same Network, then the Inter Service Provider process needs to be followed.

Your mobile phone number will remain the same, but you'll forfeit all your existing services e.g. Itemised billing, CLI, Insurance. You must re-register for these services with your new Service Provider.

All your remaining free minutes on your previous contract will also be forfeited as you'll be entering into a new contract.

You can port a pre-paid number if your new Service Provider offers it, but all pre-paid credit will be lost. If you have a Pre-paid phone and it's Network barred ask your current Service Provider to unlock it. Data and fax numbers can be ported; but existing faxes in your mailbox will be lost. Call rates will be affected as you won't be able to identify which Network you're calling by looking at the number. Unused Airtime will be forfeited.

You are expected to settle outstanding debt when porting your number.

Your current Service Provider is expected to keep any information about your service record confidential.

If a new Service Provider refuses to port you they are expected to inform you of the reason.