Operator Guidelines for Number Portability

An overview of number portability, including design issues, cost recovery and solutions, for ANSI- and ITU-based fixed and mobile operators.

Number portability enables end users to retain their telephone numbers when changing service providers, service types, and/or locations. Government regulators usually mandate the rules and criteria for implementing NP, but operators independently can decide the best method to implement NP in their networks. The topics addressed in this paper include:

• An overview of number portability
• Architectural considerations and implications related to number portability
• Solutions for implementing number portability in ANSI and ITU networks