Number portability transition delayed again

April 2024 was the date given by Cabinet for the number portability initiative to get off the ground, but that date has now been pushed back once again to June.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Melford Nicholas made the revelation earlier this week.

According to Nicholas, with members of the team assisting with preparations for the fourth Conference on Small Island Developing States, SIDS-4, his department had no choice but to delay the implementation for another few weeks.

He did however give some details on where they are at this time and what else needs to be addressed.

“There has to be a pause in the implementation process but my advice as I had indicated the last time is that we are mere weeks away from undertaking the testing regime. That will probably take two to three weeks and after that would be some training of personnel in both respective fields and then, we go to launch,” Nicholas said.

Mobile portability would allow residents to transition from one network to another without the inconvenience of having to inform persons of a change in their mobile number.

Nicholas first shared their intentions about such an innovative program back in 2017. Work has been ongoing since then to have it implemented and has seen several delays for various reasons.

Residents have however welcomed such a program since it was initially announced.