[Updated] Number portability forge ahead as TRC opens for tender proposals (again)

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has announced that Lanka Number Portability Services (LNPS) is currently calling for tender proposals to move forward with enabling number portability on the island. The tender in question specifies “the supply, installation, testing, and commission” for the upcoming service, signaling a positive sign for the number portability’s progress.

Delay upon delay

Back in October 2021, the TRC issued legal clearance for Sri Lanka’s telecom operators to implement a mobile number portability facility in the country. Following regulatory approval the telcos set out to establish a central clearinghouse, which is responsible for the centralized database of ported numbers needed for the number portability service to function.

The facility was scheduled for implementation around May of last year, though that didn’t happen, one main reason being Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. However, by late 2022, the central clearinghouse was established under “Lanka Number Portability Services.” In November, Airtel Lanka CEO Ashish Chandra claimed that the necessary work is already underway and that the entire process would likely take 10-12 months. Now, TRC’s tender call for setting up the service suggests that this might be the case.

As per TRC’s notice, the deadline for tenderers to submit proposals falls on May 30, after which the project is set to finalize its next few steps. A recent report from The Morning claims that LNPS is moving to a new round of tender proposals owing to technical issues and the lack of confidence in the previously submitted proposals. The report further states that LNPS is currently unhappy with the qualifications of those who responded to the tender, prompting the call for fresh proposals. The present tender proposal deadline falls on May 30.

Despite the delay, the State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath states that number portability would still be introduced within the year, as per The Morning. While it’s possible that Sri Lankans could see number portability happen in 2023, actual implementation may take longer than expected, particularly given the history surrounding the project.

Diminishing choices

Interestingly, this comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s telco sector seems to be consolidating on three players. Back in 2018, Etisalat Sri Lanka was sold off to Hutchinson and went on to become a part of Hutch Sri Lanka. More recently, Dialog announced that it’s acquiring Airtel Sri Lanka in a similar arrangement. In other words, the consolidation has effectively reduced consumer choice from five to three players in the country.

While number portability would have likely served consumers better a few years ago, the implementation still points to a vital consumer offering. The ability to change service providers without having to change one’s number not only offers enables convenience and consumer choice, but also sets the stage up for potentially better competition. As for how far this will be realized in the Lankan market in actuality, remains to be seen.

[Update 08/05/2023]: Added comments from the Ministry of Technology regarding calls for new tenders.