Communications and Information Technology Commission Mobile Number Portability Policy

Communications and Information technology Commission
Mobile Number Portability Policy
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Content
1. 2. 3. 4. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................3 PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT.......................................................................................................3 REGULATORY RULES..............................................................................................................3 NUMBER PORTABILITY POLICY .........................................................................................4 4.1 4.2 5. 6. PHASE 1: MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER PORTABILITY POLICY STATEMENT ..................4 PHASE 2: BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE NUMBER PORTABILITY POLICY STATEMENT ......5
DEFINITIONS ..............................................................................................................................6 NUMBER PORTABILITY CONCEPT .....................................................................................8 6.1 6.2 NUMBER PORTABILITY.........................................................................................................8 NUMBER PORTABILITY TYPES ..............................................................................................8
7. 8. 9. 10.
MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY (MNP)............................................................................9 BENEFITS OF MNP ....................................................................................................................9 MNP GUIDELINES ...................................................................................................................10 POSSIBLE TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING MNP ........................12 10.1 OVERVIEW OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR INCOMING CALLS TO PORTED NUMBER . .............................................................................................................................................12 10.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS ...............................13 10.2.2.1 ONWARD ROUTING SOLUTION (OR).............................................................................15 10.2.2.3 QUERY ON RELEASE SOLUTION (QOR) ........................................................................16
11. 11.1 11.2 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 12. 12.1 12.2 12.3 13. 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
ECONOMIC COST RECOVERY PRINCIPLES FOR MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY CHARGING ..............................................................................................23 COST CAUSATION ...............................................................................................................23 COST MINIMIZATION .........................................................................................................24 EFFECTIVE COMPETITION: ................................................................................................24 RECIPROCITY AND SYMMETRY: ........................................................................................25 PRACTICALITY ....................................................................................................................25 RELEVANT COST.................................................................................................................25 ELEMENTS OF MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY COSTS ......................................25 SYSTEM SET-UP COSTS .......................................................................................................25 ADDITIONAL CONVEYANCE COSTS ....................................................................................26 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ....................................................................................................26 COST ALLOCATION APPROACH ...................................................................................26 SYSTEM SET-UP COSTS .......................................................................................................26 CONVEYANCE COSTS ..........................................................................................................27 ADMINISTRATIVE COST......................................................................................................27 COST OF CALLS TO PORTED NUMBERS .............................................................................28 SUBSEQUENT PORTABILITY ...............................................................................................28 MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY CHARGES .............................................................28 PLANNING PRINCIPLES ...................................................................................................29 SERVICE PROVIDER OBLIGATIONS ............................................................................30 MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY PROCESS GUIDELINES.....................................34 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.....................................................................................................35
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1.
Introduction
Number portability is a facility whereby telephone customers can keep their numbers when changing from one network service provider or location or service type to another. Number portability is being demanded by customers and mandated by regulators world wide. The Telecommunications Act and its Bylaw provide for removal of most of the significant barriers to competition in telecommunications. They also require that residence and business customers should be able to choose new service providers, services and locations while retaining their phone numbers.
2.
Purpose of Document
The purpose of this document is to layout CITC Mobile Number Portability (MNP) policy, guidelines, technical options, planning principles, cost recovery framework, process guidelines and service provider obligations for providing MNP.
3.
Regulatory Rules
The Telecommunications Act and its Bylaw require all service providers to develop implementation plans, to deploy number portability and to have the capability of delivering calls from their networks to ported numbers anywhere in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Article 27 of the Act states: The operators shall ensure the transfer of number according to the user requirements. The By-Laws state the associated procedures and conditions Article (87) of the Bylaw sets out the responsibilities of the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) and the service providers as follows: 87.1- The Commission may, after consultation with the affected service providers, issue a decision directing one or more service providers to develop a number portability implementation plan. The decision may set out guidelines for the development of the plan, including guidelines on:
Communications and Information technology Commission Mobile Number Portability Policy
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(a) the schedule for implementation of number portability; (b) markets and service providers covered by the plan; (c) technical means of providing number portability; and (d) payment of costs for implementation of the plan. 87.2- Upon receipt of a decision under paragraph 87.1 of this Article, the service providers to whom the direction applies shall negotiate with each other to develop a number portability implementation plan. A plan developed under this Article shall be submitted to the Commission for approval before it is implemented. 87.3- If service providers cannot agree on a number portability implementation plan within ninety (90) days after a decision is made under paragraph 87.1 of this Article, the Commission may: (a) appoint an inquiry officer under Article 8 of this Bylaw and direct the inquiry officer to develop a plan; or (b) deal with the issues in dispute between the service providers pursuant to Chapter 6 of this Bylaw. Article 87.4 The Commission may issue a decision approving a number portability implementation plan, before or after completion of the processes outlined in paragraph 87.3 of this Article. Service providers shall provide number portability in accordance with the plan approved by the Commission.
4.
Number Portability Policy
Initially, number portability will be applied to Mobile service. In the longer term number portability will be extended to cover basic telephone service 4.1 Phase 1: Mobile Telephone Number Portability Policy Statement To promote competition in the Mobile services market by ensuring that all users in the Kingdom are able to keep their existing telephone numbers when changing Mobile Service Providers and ensuring that numbers are ported without significant degradation in the quality of service. Number Portability should benefit end users by increasing their flexibility to choose between Service providers, which should, in turn, lower prices for the end users.
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The Act and its Bylaw mandates the CITC to establish a national framework that promotes competition and provides advanced and adequate telecommunications services at affordable prices. The Act and its Bylaw also direct service providers to offer "telephone number portability" in accordance with requirements prescribed by CITC guidelines and procedures. In order to provide the kind of telephone number portability envisioned by the CITC, service providers have to invest in upgrades to their networks. The CITC is of the view that bringing competition to the mobile marketplace is the best way to reduce prices, motivate service providers to provide high quality service, deploy advanced services and provide more choice to end users. To foster competition in the Mobile market service, the CITC recognizes that certain barriers to competition must be eliminated. One of the significant barriers to competition is the inability of end users to switch from one Telephone Company to another while retaining the same telephone number. 4.2 Phase 2: Basic Telephone Service Number Portability Policy Statement To promote competition in the basic telephone service market by ensuring that all end users in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have the ability to keep their existing local telephone number at the same location when changing local telephone service providers or locations, and ensuring that numbers are ported without degradation in the quality of telecommunications service. As a general principle, CITC considers that service providers should be able to provide portability for any numbers which they have been allocated. The policy therefore provides for portability not only of mobile numbers but also in the longer term of geographic numbers (ordinary residential and business numbers) and non-geographic numbers (specially tariffed services such as freephone, local and premium rate numbers). CITC considers that any service provider offering geographic or non-geographic services should be able to provide portability for such numbers.
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5.
Definitions
The following definitions are for number portability in general including mobile number portability. 5.1 Donor Network (DN): The initial network where a number was located before being ported. Donor Service Provider (DSP): The service provider from whom the number was initially ported. Database The storage of ported numbers with their relevant routing numbers. End User Number: The E.164 number used by the calling party to establish a call to the end user. This number is also used for presentation services like Calling Line Identification presentation (CLIP) and Connected Line Identification Presentation (COLP). The end user's number is equivalent to a directory number. Geographic Number (GN): An E.164 number which corresponds to a discrete geographic area. Location Portability: The ability of an end user to retain the same E.164 international public telecommunication number when moving from one location to another. Non-Geographic Number (NGN): An E.164 number which has no geographic significance such as a mobile number. Numbering Plan: A plan that specify the format and structure of the numbers used within that plan. It typically consists of decimal digits segmented into groups in order to identify specific elements used for identification, routing and charging capabilities, e.g.
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
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within E.164 to identify country codes, national destination codes and subscriber numbers. The National Numbering plan is the national implementation of the E.164 numbering plan issued by the CITC. 5.9 5.10 Originating Network/Exchange: The network/exchange serving a calling end user. Portable Number: An entire E.164 number identified by an appropriate authority which is subject to number portability. Ported Number (PN): An end users E.164 number that has been subject to number portability. Recipient Network (RN): The network where a number is located after being ported. Recipient Service Provider(RSP): The service provider to whom the number is ported. Routing Number: A number that is derived and used by the network to route the call Serving Network: The network(s) that determines the status of a number in an environment capable of supporting number portability and, if necessary, obtains the routing information for ported numbers. Depending on the selected solution, the functionality to provide these capabilities may reside in the originating, donor, recipient or transit network/exchange or in some combination thereof. Service Portability: The ability of an end user to retain the same E.164 international public telecommunication number when changing from one type of service to another.
5.11
5.12 5.13 5.14
5.15
5.16
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5.17
Service Provider Portability: The ability of an end user to retain the same E.164 international public telecommunication number when changing from one service provider to another. Service Provider Portability for Geographic Numbers: The ability of an end user to retain the same geographic E.164 international public telecommunication number when changing from one service provider to another without changing their location or moving from one physical location to another and without changing the nature of the service offered. Service Provider Portability for non-Geographic Numbers: The ability of an end user to retain the same non-geographic E.164 international public telecommunications number when changing from one service provider to another without changing the nature of the service offered. Service provider: A licensee that operates a network and provides its services to public. Transit Network(s)/Exchange(s): A network/exchange that connects two networks.
5.18
5.19
5.21
5.20
6. Number Portability Concept

6.1 Number Portability
Number Portability is a facility by which a user can retain an existing number without significant variation of quality, reliability or convenience when changing service provider, location or service types. 6.2 Number portability types
6.2.1 Service provider portability This enables the end user to retain the same number when changing from one service provider to another. Sub-types include: For fixed telephony: a) Local Number Portability: for geographic numbers
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b) Non-Geographic Portability: for services such as freephone and special rate services For mobile telephony: Mobile Number Portability (MNP): for GSM and other mobile services. 6.2.2 Location portability This is the ability for an end user to retain the same telephone number without impairment of quality, reliability or convenience when moving from one physical location to another. Location portability will allow customers to keep their telephone numbers when they move to another geographic location outside of the original exchange. 6.2.3 Service portability This is the ability of the user to retain his existing telephone number without impairment of quality, reliability or convenience when changing from one type of service to another (e.g. from PSTN to ISDN) provided by the same service provider.
7. MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY (MNP)

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is a telecommunication network feature that enables mobile subscribers, other than radio paging services and mobile satellite service subscribers, to retain their current mobile numbers when changing mobile service providers.
8. Benefits of MNP
Entry into the mobile market is limited by various factors including spectrum scarcity and market size. It is therefore all the more important to remove any barriers to competition between the limited numbers of market players in order to ensure a dynamic and fully competitive market. The introduction of Mobile Number Portability will remove a significant obstacle to competition and should help bring to all mobile customers the benefits of greater innovation and variety of services, better quality and lower prices. Implementation of MNP will provide the followings benefits: 8.1 Removes a significant obstacle to customers changing service providers.
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8.2 Creates substantial direct benefits to customers. They do not have to incur costs of changing stationery and fewer wrong numbers are dialled. 8.3 Encourages innovation, raises quality, drives down prices, while avoiding the administrative hassles and expense of having to update business cards, letterhead and company advertisements. 8.4 Allows customers to take advantage of great mobile phone offers without having to change their number. 8.5 Motivates incumbent service providers to increase the efficiency of their networks and lower their cost of service to retain their existing customers. More importantly, competition enhanced through MNP is likely to result in a greater variety of products and services as service providers seek to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Service providers are also more likely to discover what customers are willing to pay for, and seek to more actively meet their customers needs. 8.6 MNP leads to a more efficient use of numbering resources. The public benefits from a stable numbering system and the efficient use of numbering resources. The value of a stable directory infrastructure may be significant. These benefits are largely external in nature, as they accrue to all subscribers, not just those who make the porting decision.
9. MNP Guidelines
9.1 A mobile number can be ported only if it is still in operation. This means that mobile telephone numbers that have been disconnected cannot be ported. 9.2 Mobile Number portability shall support all services unless the CITC determines that support is not applicable. 9.3 Pre-paid telephone numbers shall be portable. However, any credit on the pre-paid card may be lost. 9.4 Porting between different technologies such as GSM and CDMA shall be available, if applicable.
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9.5 Portability should not be supported between Country Codes. Only portability within the Country Code of Saudi Arabia is allowed. 9.6 Calling Line Identification Presentation (CLIP) shall be portable. 9.7 The Connected Line Identification Presentation (COLP) shall be portable. 9.8 The routing arrangements for ported numbers shall be defined and implemented by involved service providers. 9.9 Number portability shall not affect the carrier selection function. 9.10 The ported number shall be enough to route the call. Callers should continue to dial the same end user's number (ported number) and nothing more to set up a call to a ported customer. 9.11 All network-related services associated with the donor network (and its SIM card) expire automatically when porting takes place, as does data stored for these services e.g. Mailboxes. 9.12 The SIM card is always changed when a port takes place. A new International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is allocated and services are rebuilt by the recipient network according to its practices. 9.13 When one number from the card is ported e.g. the voice number, the entire cards other numbers cease to exist e.g. fax number or data number. 9.14 Mailbox numbers for voice, fax or data cannot be ported. 9.15 Mailbox numbers cannot continue to exist as independent numbers and hence are disconnected upon porting the main number. 9.16 After the donor Service provider has carried out the cancellation in the network, the customer can no longer make calls until the new activated SIM card has been inserted.
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9.17 If a call is in progress at the time when the porting takes place, this call may be cut off for technical reasons. 9.18 A seamless service during number porting may not be guaranteed. 9.19 Once one number is ported by a customer, any other numbers associated with that service would not be able to be ported and would be retained by the donor service provider. These numbers would be available for re-use after meeting the quarantine requirements of the Numbering Plan. 9.20 Termination of subscription for ported number shall result in utilizing the number range holder service provider.
10. Possible Technical Solutions for Implementing MNP

The effectiveness of number portability depends on the solution chosen and the cost allocation principles. The MNP solution should enable ported numbers to receive Short message service (SMS), Multi Media service (MMS), and other data services. 10.1 Overview of Conceptual framework for Incoming Calls to Ported Number
Transit Network (optional)
Incoming call 1st step of the routing process, based on dialed digits Serving Network
2nd step of the routing process, based on routing number
Serving exchange
Recipient Network
Recipient exchange
Customer with ported number
Figure(1)
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The caller sets up the call by dialling the end user's number, which in this case is a ported number. The routing process is split into two consecutive main steps: a) Normal routing based on end user's number towards a serving network: As a 1st step in the routing process, the originating network routes the call on to a serving network identified by the analysis of a certain number of leading digits of the ported number. b) Routing based on routing number(s) obtained by the serving network: It should be noted that this step might be subdivided into substeps e.g. the serving network could provide information to route to a database, within the recipient network or accessed by the recipient network, which provides subsequent routing information identifying the recipient exchange and other information used for a subsequent step in the routing process. If only the recipient network is identified, then it is the responsibility of the recipient network to terminate the call at the recipient exchange. The internal routing process in the recipient exchange shall complete the call taking into account the supplementary services activated. If a number is ported subsequently from service provider No. 1 to service provider No. 2, then to service provider No. 3, etc. this will change the routing number but not the routing principles. 10.2 General Description of Alternative Technical Solutions The following possible scenarios describe different routing options for calls to be routed to a ported number. They also identify the entities involved in the routing.
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10.2.1
Call Diversion
With this scenario, existing call diversion techniques in the GSM standard would be used to divert the incoming call to a "shadow" number in the recipient network. The primary advantage of the call diversion approach is that, from the switching view-point, the solution could be implemented in a shorter time frame, without the need to change standard call processes. However, there are several side effects which detract from service. These are discussed below: a) Ability of subscriber to divert call
For some networks, it is only possible to divert calls once. As this "diversion" is taken up by the "portability" diversion, the subscriber will lose the ability to divert calls in this circumstance. Also, it may not be possible to divert a call to the ported number for a similar reason. If a call has been diverted to suit a customers need, a (second) further diversion to provide for number portability may not be possible. Industry believes, however that this problem can be overcome, to some extent, using the capabilities of Interconnect-ISUP (I-ISUP) since I-ISUP enables an indication of the number of call diversions. It should be noted that I-ISUP only supports voice services and end-to-end ISUP is required for a complete solution. b) Inefficient use of numbers
The scheme requires the use of two numbers for each ported service one in the donor network and one in the recipient network. Should a large number of subscribers require portability, the available numbers could be used up. c) Inefficient use of trunks
In many cases, calls will be switched from one network to another, only to be switched back if the number has been ported to the originating network. This will require the use of two interconnect trunks when, in fact, none should be needed.
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d)
Increased post-dial delay
A call to a ported number will, in effect, be two calls. Consequently, the post dial delay will increase (to that of a call made to a diverted number). 10.2.2 IN-Based Solutions
Intelligent network related solutions use a database which is interrogated to identify whether the called number has been ported and, if so, to which destination. A range of IN-related solutions are possible such as the following: 10.2.2.1 Onward Routing Solution (OR)
In this solution, the donor network maintains the portability information, i.e. the complete address to both recipient network and exchange, for ported-out numbers and reroutes incoming calls to ported-out numbers onward towards the recipient network. The figure below shows the routing for this solution.
In the above Figure (2), the donor network receives an incoming call. It then detects that the called number has been ported-out to another network and makes a database (DB) query to retrieve a routing number. It thereafter reroutes the call onward towards the recipient network using retrieved routing information. The transit network(s) are optional, i.e. direct connections between originating network and donor network might exist, also between donor network and recipient network
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10.2.2.2
Call Drop Back Solution (CDB)

Transit Networks Originating Network drop Donor Network DB
Recipient Network Calling Subscriber

Lasting relation temporary relation
Called Subscriber
Figure (3)
CDB is an enhancement of onward routing. When the donor network receives the call, it returns a message indicating the number has been ported and provides routing information then releases the call. This drop back message is used by the transit (if a transit exists) or the originating network (in case there is a direct connection between donor network and originating network) to route the call onward to the recipient network. In this scenario, only the donor network maintains NP information, i.e. the complete address to both recipient network and exchange. When carrier selection is used for the call, the originating network reuses the carrier selection information after reception of the drop back message. 10.2.2.3 Query on Release Solution (QoR)
A similar case as the previously described "drop back" principle is when the preceding network to donor initiates NP actions, i.e. an NP DB query,
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at reception of a release message. This case is often referred to as "Query on Release (QoR)". As shown in the above Figure (4), the donor network receives an incoming call. It then detects that the called number has been ported out to another network. It then determines that one of the preceding networks has QoR capability by looking at received signalling information. It thereafter releases the call with a special message informing that the called number is ported out. The transit network then traps the release, determines that the preceding network has no QoR capability, makes an NP database query and reroutes the call onward towards the recipient network. In this scenario the transit network has access to an NP DB with the complete address to the recipient network, at least for ported-out numbers. If the DB exists in the originating network, the DB query could take place in the originating network.
For signaling requirements, each ported subscriber will have two numbers used by the network: the Directory Number (N1) and the Routing Number (N2) that is used to route the call towards the subscriber. 10.2.2.4 All Call Query (ACQ)
Transit Networks Originating Network Case a DB
Donor Network
Case a Case b
Recipient Network
Calling Subscriber
Lasting relation temporary relation
Called Subscriber
Figure (5)
In the scenario shown in the above Figure (5), the originating network has an NP DB capability with the complete address to the recipient exchange, at least for ported-out numbers. This implies that only one NP DB lookup needs to be performed to complete the call. Note however, that more
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than one DB look-up may be required if there is not sufficient information to route to the recipient exchange. As can be seen in above Figure (5), the donor network is not involved in the call set-up at all, however optionally the transit network [see cases (a) above] might be transiting the call to the recipient network. Alternatively, a transit network, rather than the originating network, could perform the NP DB look-up. Advantages of IN solution a) The Database query techniques could be made to be applicable across all network technologies b) This technique could also be used for geographic number portability. c) Services and features of GSM can be preserved. Disadvantages of IN solution a) For a small quantity of ported mobile numbers, all calls to mobile customers, whether ported or not, initiate a data base query to provide for correct call routing. The solution also is likely to increase the post-dial delay of all calls to mobile customers b) for calls originating on a GSM mobile network, the inherent intelligence of the GSM network is not used, and thus on all mobile to mobile calls there would be two queries - one to IN portability database and one to a home location register (or visitor location register) for correct routing of the call.
10.2.3
Signalling Relay (SR)
In mobile networks, calls cannot be delivered to mobile subscribers simply by means of analysing dialled digits because the mobile phone can be anywhere. To deliver a call, a routing enquiry is made to a Home Location Register to determine where the called subscriber is located and to obtain a routing number. The signalling relay solution takes advantage of the routing enquiry to provide number portability. The basic idea for this solution is that the donor network, by using the signalling relay function, sends a routing enquiry to the recipient network which returns the routing information required to properly route the call.
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The routing information can be used either to reach the recipient network or the visited network (the network where the called party is roaming). The basis of this technical solution (use of a signaling relay capability) has been visible since early 1997, and had the basis of compatibility with the evolving GSM environment, including supplementary services such as SMS.
Donor Network
Recipient Network
HLR
HLR
Originating Network
Called Called Subscriber
SMSC
NP Signalling Relay
NP Signallin g Relay
Called Subscriber
SMSC
Ported number database
GMSC
GMSC
Figure (6)
Logically, the Signalling Relay is positioned between the Gateway Mobile Switching Centers (GMSCs) and the Home Location Register (HLRs), i.e. all HLR enquires will be routed through the Signalling Relay. The Signalling Relay has access to databases of all ported numbers and their recipient networks. The above figure shows the network configuration with the Number Portability Signalling Relay (NPSR) function. For all calls, the Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) will compile a routing enquiry. The E.164 addressed Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) messages carrying these routing enquires will be routed towards the NP Signalling Relay using standard SCCP routing capabilities of the GMSCs. The NP Signalling Relay intercepts the SCCP messages and analyses their called and calling party address and acts depending on these addresses. Advantages of Signalling Relay solution a) This solution utilise a standard interfaces and signalling functions in order to minimise the need for further system development.
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b) This solution supports speech, fax, data, short-message service, call-back when subscriber is no longer busy and optimally routed calls. Disadvantages of Signalling Relay solution a) This solution is very specific for GSM b) This solution is not applicable to other mobile network technology such as CDMA. 10.2.4 ETSI Solution
The ETSI network architecture shown below in figure (7) combines IN functionality as well as a Signalling Relay Function. To optimize the solution both functionalities are combined in one entity. It should also be possible to separate these two functions.
Donor Network
Recipient Network
HLR
NP Signalling Relay
NP Signalling Relay
HLR
SMSC
GMSC
GMSC
SMSC
Originating Network Called Subscriber
Figure (7)
Called Subscriber
The following describes three scenarios for handling a call. a) IN query on digit analysis. The gateway triggers a digit analysis and queries the IN number portability database. The database answers with a connect in the case of an exported customer or a subscriber in another network. The database answers with a continue for a home (none ported) customer or an imported customer.
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In the case of a connect, the call is routed out of the network and in the case of a continue, the Signalling Relay Inquiry (SRI) is sent via the signal relay to the correct HLR. b) IN query on HLR release In this case, the GMSC first sends an SRI via the signalling relay to the nominated HLR. If the subscriber is found, the call is handled as usual. If the subscriber is not found on this HLR, then an 'unknown subscriber' signal is returned, indicating either a misdial or a customer on another network. In this case an IN query is made to determine the serving network. c) Signalling relay function In this case, the GMSC sends the MAP-SRI (Mobile Application Part- Signalling Relay Inquiry) to the signalling relay function. The signalling relay function relays the message to HLR functionality based on the MSISDN. Advantages of ETSI solution: The advantages of this solution include: a) standard solution from vendors and therefore less expensive b) consistency with GSM services and features eg. roaming c) a GSM based solution may be more cost effective initially for small volumes of ported customers and d) guaranteed future support at the features inclusion and manufacturer levels. Disadvantages of ETSI solution: A disadvantage of this solution is that it is GSM specific, and may not applicable to technologies outside GSM family.
10.2.5
Number Portability Clearinghouse (NPC) Solution
NPC is hardware and software platform with a port processing engine, reference database and interface processes. This solution provides a single database serving as the repository for all ported numbers in a country. Service providers can access this platform via the internet using HTTPS to a graphic user interface (GUI), File transfer protocol (FTP) over leased lines or virtual private (VPN) access.
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The Number Portability Engine is the process which controls the flow of messages between service providers, and which maintains the routing and status of all ported numbers. NPC is a central point requiring all parties to rely on the same set of rules for handling port requests, greatly simplifying the process. Data stored will include routing, number status, port history, message, operator, parameter and system utilization data.
Clearinghou
Operations Systems
Operations Systems
Donor Networ
Networ k Other licensed Service provider
Switches
Other licensed Service provider
Recipient Network
Advantages of NPC solution a) Elimination of reliance on the donor Service provider, thereby providing the ability to maintain portability when Service providers fail and exit the market b) Optimised routing, and the resulting elimination of the costs of additional conveyance, will serve as an inducement to win end users, fostering competition c) Preclusion of network congestion which would arise on the donors networks as ported calls are routed through them d) Can be utilized for number administration resulting in increased and more efficient utilisation of numbering capacity e) Solution simplifies Lawful Interception and enables Regulator to audit and monitor law and mandate compliance of operators Disadvantages of NPC solution: Since this solution is newly introduced in some countries, therefore this may be considered as disadvantages.
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10.2.6
CITC Position on Technical Solution
After reviewing the possible solutions in the context of the telecommunications environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the CITC has concluded that mobile number portability is technically feasible and that there are no fundamental technical barriers to its introduction in the Kingdom. However, the CITC will leave the service providers to decide on the technical solution to adopt, as long as the end objective of full MNP is achieved.
11. Economic Cost Recovery Principles for Mobile Number Portability Charging
As countries move from monopoly to competitive markets, regulatory policy must stimulate efficient entry into markets. The terms under which carriers transact for interconnection-related services determines the extent to which competition will be effective in reducing consumer prices, improving quality and diversity in services and attracting efficient entrants. The charging principles prescribed by the CITC are designed to foster the introduction of competition without favoring any one service provider. This section first reviews the important issues that need to be considered when formulating charging principles for NP inter-service provider services. Then, charging principles, which apply to each classification of costs, are described. The section concludes with the broad guidelines and process to be used by service providers to determine and recommend the charges for MNP in KSA. In general, there are various types of cost which can be universally applied to any form of portability. The CITC has taken into account seven principles for calculating cost recovery for mobile number portability. The principles ensure that service providers recover a reasonable share of the costs they incur to provide NP services. Charges for MNP shall be established based on Long Run Average Incremental Cost (LRAIC) allocated between parties based on the cost principles described in sections 11.1 to 11.7. The costing principles are intended to form the basis for determining inter-service provider charges. 11.1 Cost Causation In general, cost-recovery mechanisms should have strong regard to whose actions cause additional costs to be incurred. The principle of cost
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causality requires that a customer, whose decision to port this number causes costs to be incurred, pay for these costs. When charges are causally related to costs, prices will be efficient signals for consumers to decide how much to consume. Otherwise, a consumer tends to consume too much of the service which is priced at less than its cost and too little of the service which is priced at more than its costs. Thus, the principle of cost causality is important for ensuing efficient allocation of resources. 11.2 Cost Minimization Costs can be minimized by improving efficiency of operation and by adopting the most cost effective technology. With all service providers minimizing costs, the productive efficiency in providing MNP would be maximized. Charging principles should encourage carriers to minimize their costs by ensuring that all service providers receive the appropriate incentives to adopt efficient technology and business practices. To the extent that less efficient service providers are not permitted to pass on all their costs to other service providers, through inter-service provider NP charges, they will have the necessary incentives to minimize their costs over the long term. 11.3 Distribution of Benefits Cost recovery mechanisms should recognize that ported mobile customers are not the only beneficiaries of number portability. Benefits from MNP accrue both to customers porting their numbers and also to mobile customers in general through increased competition in the mobile market. These also are the industry-wide benefits of enhanced efficiency and service quality due to more intensive competition among the service providers. The non-porting customers would also benefit from fewer misdialed calls. 11.4 Effective Competition: Cost recovery mechanisms should promote competition, and not weaken the benefits which number portability would bring in the mobile market. This means that the charging structure should not distort competition or deter service providers from introducing MNP. Besides, the Donor Network Service Provider (DNSP) should not be given the opportunity to impose on customers any charges for porting the numbers. The interservice provider charges should be minimized and should not be used as a tool to raise competitors costs or to weaken their ability to compete.
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11.5 Reciprocity and Symmetry: Cost recovery mechanisms should, as far as possible, be symmetrical and reciprocal, given that portability needs to be offered in both directions. This means that the charging relating to a customer porting from one service provider to another should apply to a customer porting in the opposite direction. 11.6 Practicality The outcome should be easy to implement. 11.7 Relevant Cost The relevant cost principle requires that only those costs that are incremental to providing MNP should be recovered through inter-service provider charges. Costs that are incurred in relation to providing both MNP and other services should be distinguished from those that are incurred solely for the provision of MNP.
12. Elements of Mobile Number Portability Costs

There are three basic types of costs in the mobile number portability environment as follow: 12.1 System Set-up Costs System set-up costs are the costs incurred by the service provider in order to establish the technical and administrative capability to provide portability. In particular, costs of: Establishing and maintaining the databases that contain information on ported numbers. Making network and system modifications, configurations or reconfigurations, operation, maintenance including adapting or replacing software and billing system. Testing functionality within the applicable systems and in conjunction with any other service providers systems.
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12.2 Additional Conveyance Costs Additional conveyance costs are the additional costs for conveyance of an individual call to a ported number. Conveyance costs are associated with resources used in: Effecting the switch-processing required to set up each ported call, and Providing the switch and transmission capacity for any part of the duration of each ported call additional to the costs of conveyance of non-ported calls from the donor service providers network to the recipient service providers network.
This would include look up of the ported number and prefix addition. It does not include any conveyance or transit costs which would normally be incurred for a call to a non-ported number from one mobile network to another. 12.3 Administrative Costs Administration Costs are the costs incurred in the porting of an individual number. The costs incurred by the service providers in changing the number records in its network and the administrative costs involved with respect to each number ported
13. Cost Allocation Approach

13.1 System set-up Costs System set-up costs will be incurred at the outset of NP implementation. Since the Act and its Bylaw require all service providers to build and provide NP capabilities, then each of the providers will be expected to bear the cost of this initial implementation. This approach will provide incentive for all service providers to minimize their set up costs. It is expected that these costs will be roughly equivalent for all service providers. If inter-service providers charges for system set-up costs were permitted, each service provider would have an incentive to raise its costs and consequently, its charges to other service providers thus raising their rivals costs and making it harder for them to compete.
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13.2 Conveyance Costs Conveyance costs are the incremental cost involved in routing a call to a subscriber with a ported number, compared to the costs involved in routing a call to a subscriber with a non-ported number. For example, with implementation of an IN or signaling relay solutions, every call consumes more signalling resources during call set-up, but there is no significant use of additional transmission capacity during the call itself. In this case, The Donor Service Provider may not charge the Recipient Service Provider a specific portability charge for such additional conveyance. The cost of additional conveyance should be subsumed into the Donor Service Providers general network costs, spreading the cost over all calls on the network. Such an approach for IN or Signaling relay solutions follows the principle of cost minimization, by encouraging service providers to minimize additional conveyance and thus adopt the most efficient routing method of providing portability. For others solution, the extent of additional conveyance costs resulting from MNP depends on the architecture and technology chosen to implement MNP. 13.3 Administrative Cost Administrative costs are caused directly by a particular subscribers request to have his number ported. The administrative cost has been defined as those costs that are incurred by the DNSP to process a subscribers application to port their number to the RNSP. To affect number portability, all other service providers must adjust their databases so that their switches will know that calls to this subscriber should be routed to the Recipient Service Providers network. In a typical full Intelligent Network (IN) platform, each Signalling Control Point (SCP) must be updated every time a customer changes service providers and ports his number. Therefore, both DNSP and RNSP are likely to incur the same types of costs in updating their number databases when customers choose to port their numbers. The principle of cost causation is the most directly applicable to administrative costs incurred with respect to setting up number portability.
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This cost may be collected from the customer with ported number by the service provider to whom the number is being ported (the Recipient Service Provider) and should be reimbursed to the DNSP to compensate for the administrative costs that it incurs. 13.4 Cost of Calls to Ported Numbers The CITC considers that callers to ported numbers should not face additional charges for those calls. 13.5 Subsequent Portability In a multi-service provider environment, to effect subsequent portability, some work will need to be carried out by the new Recipient Network Service Provider (RNSP), the original Donor Network Service Provider (DNSP) the original RNSP, and other network Service providers that maintain databases to support Mobile Number Portability (MNP). A request for subsequent portability from the new RNSP will require the original DNSP to adjust the unconditional call setting on its network to reflect a new destination network (namely the network of the new RNSP). Only the original DNSP would incur costs to effect the subsequent portability request. In this case, the original RNSP would not incur any costs to update its databases. Therefore, the one-time subsequent portability set-up cost shall be paid by the new RNSP to the original DNSP.
14. Mobile Number Portability Charges

The charges shall reflect the Long Run Average Incremental Cost (LRAIC) standard using a narrow definition of incremental costs. Charges shall be set to allow service providers to recover the incremental costs associated with NP along with a financing charge on capital resources that were consumed in the provision of MNP. The only charges allowed are those for facilitating each number porting request. These charges consist mainly of the administrative costs and the database updating costs and should be based on the incremental costs of providing the services. The increment for estimating this element of costs would be defined in terms of the individual number porting requests. As for the costs that would be incurred by the DNSP, distinction should be made between the costs of disconnecting and the cost of porting the
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customers. According to the principle of relevant costs, only the incremental costs incurred in porting the customers could be recovered from the RNSP. The CITC objective is to eventually adopt the LRAIC approach for MNP charges. However, it is recognized that such an approach is not practical in the short term. Thus, for the development of MNP charges, consideration may be given to other approaches such as a benchmarking. The CITC requires all mobile service providers to conduct detailed studies about their approach to determine the MNP rates. The Commission will set MNP rates on basis of these studies and will be equitable to all service providers. CITC decision shall be final.
15. Planning Principles

15.1 A customer shall be able to retain a number assigned, without appreciable impairment of service quality, reliability or convenience, when switching from one service provider to another. 15.2 Any network or administrative arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall not impede competition and shall be consonant with the reduction of monopoly controls over mobile services. 15.3 Any network or administrative arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall be reciprocal between service providers. 15.4 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall permit origination and termination of calls to both ported and non-ported numbers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or interconnected overseas network. 15.5 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall have as small an impact on call handling as practical and, in particular, shall produce no appreciable adverse impact on post-dialling delay. 15.6 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall, as far as possible, avoid transiting the
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network of the service provider previously providing service for a given number. 15.7 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall not introduce network degradation or loss in features and functions for any public switched network. 15.8 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall, as far as practical, be capable of being implemented on equal terms by all service providers providing access to or offering that service. 15.9 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall avoid use of proprietary architectures and interfaces. 15.10 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall permit transparency to both calling and called parties in terms of feature functionality. 15.11 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall ensure preservation of the calling line identity of a customer's service for which the number is transferred from one service deliverer to another. 15.12 Any network arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall, to the maximum extent practical, use existing network infrastructure and standards. 15.13 The allocation of costs directly linked to arrangements implemented to support mobile number portability shall promote efficiency of service deliverers and efficient supply of telecommunications services.
16. Service Provider Obligations

The following obligations apply to the Donor Service Providers, Recipient Service Providers, Transit Service Providers and any other service provider involved in providing mobile number portability. 16.1 A service provider that is involved in providing a portability service must ensure that:
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(a) It has the technical capability required to provide number portability for the portable service; and (b) It has technology available for use within its network to provide number portability and enables end-to-end connectivity. 16.2 A service provider must port a number to a new service provider if: (a) The customer asks the service provider for this to be done; or (b) The new provider, at the customers request, asks the original service provider for this to be done. 16.3 A porting may be refused only in accordance with criteria to be approved in advance by the CITC. 16.4 A service provider, when officially asked to port a number, must: (a) Port it to the new service provider within a maximum of five days. All service providers shall endeavour their utmost effort to reduce that period. (b) Ensure that no action or inaction on its part prevents the customer from keeping the same number when changing to the new service provider. 16.5 A Service Provider must not prevent, by its action or inaction, routing of calls to or from a ported number. 16.6 A Service Provider must fulfil the routing responsibility in relation to a call to a ported number by enabling call completion to the number through correct routing of the call to the appropriate service provider. 16.7 A Service Provider must ensure that calls can be routed between all users, irrespective of whether they have ported their number or not. The originating Service Provider has the initial routing responsibility in relation to a call to a ported number except to the extent that one of the following cases below applies:
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(a) If pre-selection of a Service Provider was applied to the call, in which case the calling partys pre-selected Service Provider has the routing responsibility. (b) If the call is an incoming international call originating outside Saudi Arabia, in which case the first Service Provider in Saudi Arabia receiving the incoming overseas call to the number has the routing responsibility. (c) If the call involves number translation from the dialled number to the appropriate network address to enable correct routing (e.g. for numbers used in connection with the supply of freephone), the Service Provider providing the translation service has the routing responsibility from the point at which the translation is applied. (d) If the call is being diverted from one number to another, the Service Provider providing the diversion service has the routing responsibility from the point at which the diversion begins. 16.8 All service providers must make and keep a register of the numbers allocated to them that have been ported. For each number that has been ported the register must identify the service provider to which it has been ported. 16.9 A service provider must make the register available for inspection by CITC and other service providers. 16.10 The register must be updated at least once during each business day. 16.11 Calls to a Ported Number, whether originating on the Donor Service Providers network or received from other networks, are passed to the Recipient Service Provider over one or more POIs as agreed between the Donor and Recipient Service Providers, unless there is no direct interconnection between them, in which case the Donor Service Provider shall ensure that calls to the Ported Number are passed to the Recipient Service Provider by means of a Transit Service Provider.
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16.12 All service providers share responsibility for ensuring that providing Portability shall not jeopardise the proper administration of the numbering regime. 16.13 The Recipient Service Provider shall inform the Donor Service Provider when a customer has given up a Ported Number within two day of customer request. 16.14 With the aim of ensuring that Subsequent Portability service is provided to the customer with as little disruption as possible, the Recipient Service Providers shall co-operate with each other in ensuring that any Recipient Service Provider who wins the customers business at that Number from another Recipient Service Provider is informed of the identity of the Donor Service Provider, and the Donor Service Provider shall co-operate with both Recipient Service Providers in establishing arrangements for Portability to be provided. 16.15 Where any Service Provider holds the agreed text of any public process manual relating to provision of Portability, it is that Service Providers responsibility to ensure that a copy of the manual will be provided to any Service Provider who applies for one. 16.16 All service providers involved in the provision of service to a ported number have a responsibility to provide an equivalent service. The Equivalent Service Criteria for Mobile Number Portability are intended to provide industry and consumers with a practical understanding of the principle of equivalent service and to provide some specificity to its interpretation. These Criteria are as follow: a) Call Failure
The rate of call failure caused by congestion or malfunction for calls to ported mobile numbers must not exceed the rate of call failure to non-ported mobile numbers.
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b)
Services and Features
The MNP solution deployed by any service provider must not prevent customers with ported mobile numbers being offered the same services and features with similar quality and feature as are provided to customers using non-ported mobile numbers on the recipients network. This requirement applies to both incoming and outgoing call services and non-call-related features. This criterion applies to services and features the absence of which would be apparent to the customer and could reasonably be expected to affect the customers choice of service provider. d) End-to-End Connectivity
The MNP technical solution deployed by any service provider shall provide end-to-end connectivity by ensuring the successful completion of communications to and from ported mobile numbers where such connectivity is provided in relation to non-ported mobile numbers. This criterion applies to call and non-call related services. The absence of which would be apparent to the customer and could reasonably be expected to affect the customers choice of carriage service provider.
17. Mobile Number Portability Process Guidelines

The high level Process for Mobile Number Portability is summarised as follows:
(a)
The customer requests the new service from the recipient service provider and indicates the date he would like the order to be completed. The recipient service provider sends the request to the donor service provider (by fax or automated methods). The donor service provider checks the request and advises of any requirements due to the termination of subscription.
(b)
(c)
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Customers with pre-paid account must pay up their accounts to the donor service provider.
(d)
The donor service provider confirms the porting to the recipient service provider. Each service provider shall implement the port on the agreed day which shall be within a maximum of five days from the request date. All service providers shall endeavour their utmost effort to reduce that period. The recipient service provider supplies a new Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to the customer, as necessary. The recipient network service provider activates the new subscription at the start of the day and the donor service provider terminates the subscription during the day, leaving a short overlap period. The recipient network service provider shall inform all other service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after each number port that a port has taken place.
(e)
(f)
(g)
The CITC requires all mobile service providers to develop a detailed porting process taking into consideration the above high level process guidelines. The process shall include at least the negotiation phase, provisioning phase, completion phase, cutover procedures, service termination of a ported number and fault handling procedures. The process should cause the least possible service disruption and is subject to mandatory CITC approval.
18. Dispute resolution

All Mobile Service Providers shall follow the dispute resolution process indicated in the Act and chapter 6 of the By-law.
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Communications and Information Technology Commission Mobile Number Portability Policy

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Mobile Number Portability Policy