Effective today, number portability will become an option for both fixed line and mobile users in Jamaica. This means that subscribers will be able to switch networks without changing their assigned numbers.

Speaking to The Gleaner-Power 106 News Centre yesterday, Minister of Science Technology Energy, Mining Phillip Paulwell, says all telecommunication providers have completed testing and are ready to facilitate Local Number Portability (LNP) without any charge to subscribers.

Under the Telecommunications Act (Number Portability) Rules 2014, providers are prevented from charging subscribers who wish to switch networks.

The technology minister, who is now en route from Russia, adds that telecoms companies have also given assurance that they will not attempt to charge consumers.

LNP should have taken effect on May 31, but was delayed because LIME, one of the major players in the telecommunications industry, asked for more time to conduct tests and correct glitches.

The introduction of the feature follows the granting of a 10-year licence in March this year to Porting Access BV of The Netherlands to administer number portability services in Jamaica.