The implementation of mobile number portability in Ghana and its effect on subscribers

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2012-02-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Mobile number portability (MNP) was introduced in the Ghanaian market on 6th July, 2011 to increase competition among Ghana’s six mobile phone companies. MNP requires that mobile telephone customers can keep their telephone number including the prefix when switching from one provider of mobile telecommunications services to another. The research sought to find whether the implementation of the MNP has been successful and whether it is having any effect on consumers (subscribers) in Ghana. The research utilised survey from 200 respondents from the university of Ghana and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). The findings of the research show that the implementation of the MNP has been smooth. However lower porting rates were recorded because subscribers perceived that there was homogeneity of services on offer by the various network providers in Ghana i.e. Vodafone, MTN, Tigo, Airtel and Expresso. Contrary to literature, this research concluded that, MNP service can still be considered a success, even when porting rates are low. In that, if the threat of porting leads to improved competition among operators, and hence, lower tariffs and better services, MNP could still be considered as successful as it is becoming the case in Ghana. The researcher recommend that awareness creation exercises be carried out by the regulators NCA to ensure success. National communication authority should also enact laws and regulation to deal with providers who abuses the system to their advantage. Service providers should also enhance their network coverage to meet the growing demands of subscribers.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Institute of Distance Learning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Commonwealth Executive Masters of Business Administration, September-2012
Keywords
Citation