Much anticipated number portability service starts

The telecom operators in Maldives, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo started providing number portability service on Thursday; a service which provides customers with the option of switching operators without changing their phone number.

Dhiraagu Public Relations Manager Imjad Jaleel said that the service would be available from all Dhiraagu centers in Male’ and atolls, as well as partner shops, starting from Thursday.

“The option will be available to all customers who come to Dhiraagu. All Ooredoo customers who want to switch to Dhiraagu have the opportunity,” said Imjad.

Head of Sales for Ooredoo, Hussein Niyaz said that there would be Ooredoo agents in all Maldivian islands, and that the opportunity would be available there for all customers who wished to switch to Ooredoo.

Niyaz said that the service would be available from all 11 Ooredoo shops in Male’, as well as three tents that have been set up for the sole purpose of providing the service to interested customers.

Phone numbers that are eligible for number portability service need to be active numbers, and need to have been in use for at least 90 days.

To apply for the service; SMS “Port” to 234 to receive the code that needs to be included in the application form.

Number portability service will be available only after all bills pertaining to the phone number have been settled.

A fee of MVR 200 will be taken for the service.

Service from the operator the customer wishes to switch to will be available within 2 days after submission of form.