Mobile Number Portability

Stefan Buehler () and Justus Haucap ()

No 303, Working Papers from University of Zurich, Socioeconomic Institute

Abstract: This paper examines the consequences of introducing mobile number portability (MNP). As MNP allows consumers to keep their telephone number when switching providers, it reduces consumers’ switching costs. However, MNP may also cause consumer ignorance if telephone numbers no longer identify networks. As a result, while fostering competition for mobile customers, MNP may also induce operators to increase termination charges for calls to mobile networks, generating ambiguous welfare e.ects. We examine how extensions such as MNP based on call-forwarding, termination fee regulation, and alternative means of carrier identification a.ect these findings.

Keywords: number portability; switching costs; telecommunications; network competition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L51 L96 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: Written 2003-03
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Published in Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade 4(3), 2004, pages 223-238

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.soi.uzh.ch/research/wp/2003/wp0303.pdf Revised version, 2003 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: Mobile Number Portability (2003)
Journal Article: Mobile Number Portability (2004)
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