When will it be possible to change the operator with the number saved?

When connecting to any mobile operator's network, the subscriber is given a unique ten-digit number. Sometimes, at the request of the client, a seven- or six-digit city number is attached to it . And after that, he can change the tariff, connect or disconnect services, his numbers will remain unchanged. But the subscriber should prefer his operator to a competitor, as he has to change his own number. And this is not always convenient. Therefore, many are forced to remain loyal to their cellular company. On the Internet, this state of affairs is called mobile slavery.

For more than a year now, there has been a talk that there should be an opportunity to switch to another operator while maintaining the number. Starting from last year, this issue was considered by the State Duma, and even in December of the same year a bill was adopted. The date of the change of the operator with the number saving was also fixed. Already in December 2013 the service will work in a test mode, and from April next, it will be possible to do it already.

Many customers associate such a long implementation of the service with the reluctance of operators to share their subscribers. However, this is only partly true. The fact is that to date, the first 6 digits of the number determine the subscriber's belonging not only to a certain operator, but also to the region. This is the basis for charging all calls today. After the change of the operator with the saving of the number will be possible, it will be necessary to completely replace all methods of calculation. So, it will take a complete change of equipment and the creation of a single database of telephone numbers. And this requires not only big cash injections, but also time.

But the legislative initiative has opponents. They believe that this will lead to confusion in tariffing. After this, it will be difficult to judge by the numbers of the number, to which operator it belongs. From their point of view, the change of the mobile operator with the preservation of the number is absolutely unnecessary service, since there are a lot of other options to notify friends, relatives and colleagues about it.

Unconditional redirection, SMS-sending and voice notification on the old number - from their point of view, this is more than enough. But these methods have their drawbacks. If you use redirection, you will need to monitor the balance of funds on the old number, since you will have to pay for each redirected call. Unlike the first option, SMS-mailing will require only one-time costs. Surely, friends and relatives will keep the new number of the subscriber. But the clients of such a person can and ignore such a message. In the latter version, the service does not require any cost from the client, you just need to set everything up correctly. But this notification will work no more than three months, while the old number will be valid. These inconveniences led to the fact that in the near future a change of operator with the preservation of the number will become possible.

Already today both supporters and opponents of this service are waiting for its appearance. And only after the implementation of the legislative initiative will it become clear how relevant it is. It is expected that in the first year, up to 3 million subscribers can use the service. But whether all the services will work correctly after the operator is changed with the preservation of the number, unfortunately, not one cell phone company guarantees today.