Starting September 21st 2017, Viettel has become the first operator to run a testing for this service. Thus, for now only subscribers of Mobifone and Vinaphone can change to Viettel while changing in the opposite direction is not yet available.

In particular, Viettel will support subscribers of two carriers: Mobifone and Vinaphone, who want to switch their services to Viettel while still maintain their numbers unchanged. Mr. Hoang Son – General Director of Viettel Telecom mentioned that the implementation of MNP will not be complicated since it has been applied in several oversea markets where Viettel has invested.

Viettel has become the first operator to run a testing for Mobile number portability

On the other hand, VNPT is retaining the gateway system they are also working on the process of being connected to the Central Processing Relay System of MIC to test the service. The system is expected to be installed in October 2017.

Mobifone and Vinaphone shall also launch their trial service in the upcoming future. By that time, subscibers will be able to switch service among these 3 operators without changing their numbers.

MNP is a service that allows users of one telecom operator to switch to another network while maintaining the same number. This has been applied in more than 70 countries all over the world, such as US, Japan, England, Australia… and it is something that cannot be done in Vietnam in the past.

According to ministrerial guidelines, only mobile subscribers with numbers activated for at least 90 days will be able to switch their numbers to other networks. The process of switching network shall require 7 days and 7 steps to complete.

Up to now, Vietnam has approximately 126.5 million mobile subscribers and it is expected that MNP project shall help mobile subscribers to have more choices and create a more competitive environment and help network operators to provides better services with more market share.