Technology underlying MNP?

[HvRooyen]

Hi all:

Does anyone know how the system underlying MNP works? I am considering porting to another cellular provider, but *really need* to be connected 24/7. I am concerned that the system used to resolve a number on another network may add to the complexity of routing to my phone, thereby increasing my chances of not being available.

TIA

 

[Syndyre]

Don't know the details, think there's basically an inter-network database that has the numbers and the networks they're now associated with etc. Don't think there's much chance of that system having major problems so you should be fine, the only risk is during the porting process itself.

 

[JK8]

And if I remember correctly Mr Alan K Craig said it cost R1 mil to port one customer!

But thats not what you should worry about!

 

[lilDeath]

@HvRooyen, I don't think you have anything to worry about. The providers are basically guaranteeing no downtime on your cell #.

The process is actually very structured in the sense that the new NP will first confirm everything is in place on the old NP before proting takes place. This includes stuff like credit checking, billing, account, number details and all that.

Once the go ahead is in place. the proting request will be queued for a specific evening which is only set to take place between the hours of 10:30-11:30 pm. An one hour period AFAIK.
During this change your SIM will continue to work on your old provider, until it is switched to the new provider, then of course your new sim you received form your new provider will be live. The change literally takes a few seconds.
Some providers even go so far as to guarantee no downtime at all on your cell #.

All numbers are in a central database and whom it is assigend to. This is integral to the switching progress.

 

[HvRooyen]

Thanks for the responses. Any idea how a call to someone who has ported is resolved? I assume that a call to someone who used to be on MTN (but who moved to VC) will be routed first to MTN before it is rerouted to VC? If so, surely a technical problem on one network will also affect any customers who used to be on that network before they ported away to someone else? Or is MNP related network resolution done before routing to any specific network takes place?

 

[Ebo]

HvRooyen, have a look at my thread in the MTN section Porting Problems
I am not sure if the networks mentioned apply to you but just to make mention that there are a few bugs around

 

[HvRooyen]

HvRooyen, have a look at my thread in the MTN section Porting Problems
I am not sure if the networks mentioned apply to you but just to make mention that there are a few bugs around

Thanks, this is exactly the sort of thing I was afraid of: The ghost of your previous provider hanging around...

 

[Pitbull]

Hi all:

Does anyone know how the system underlying MNP works? I am considering porting to another cellular provider, but *really need* to be connected 24/7. I am concerned that the system used to resolve a number on another network may add to the complexity of routing to my phone, thereby increasing my chances of not being available.

TIA

The actual System handover happens @ 00:00 in the morning.

So assuming this goes thru seemingly without any hickups your line should be active on the new network @ 02:00 the same morning. There is a max 2 hour delay, that is why the handover happens @ 00:00.

Then again who want's to be called 01:00 in the morning...

This is all AFAIK.

 

[lilDeath]

Pitbull, I think what they are referring to is the routing of the calls to your number AFTER the porting takes place.

Example: Pre-MNP if you were on Network X and due to the cell prefix (082,083,084) the other networks Y,Z (and network X) knew that any calls to those numbers would automatically be directed to Network X to handle and redirect to specific subscriber.

Now, Post-MNP , how does the process actually work, i.e. The actual technical routing process of a call to your number? Especially keeping in mind the central database that was put in place for MNP, which supposedly have all the cellular numbers of all the networks recorded.
Lets say you ported from Network X, to Network Y, and someone from Network X now phones you, does the call first check to see locally and then not seeing it is live here anymore now go do a lookup on the central database to determine what network you are on and then routes the call further?
What happens if one of the network providers are experiencing technical problems? Are clients that are considered to be off-network affected by this?

Only thing I know for certain is the 3 beeps a caller hears when dialing somebody that is considered off-network (number that used to be associated with a specific network)

 

[bdt]

@HvRooyen, I don't think you have anything to worry about. The providers are basically guaranteeing no downtime on your cell #.

*splutter.choke.stare* ...um, yea: MY experience has been nothing of the sort. I had five DAYS of my 084 being utterly non-existent before I got it back ..and that with crapping on them daily. So, no: I'm not about to believe this one (no matter how good your intentions may be)

The process is actually very structured in the sense that the new NP will first confirm everything is in place on the old NP before proting takes place. This includes stuff like credit checking, billing, account, number details and all that.

Well, the Virgin/CellC handling of the situation is craptacular at best. And, FTR, I ported off a prepaid CellC so should have had NO contract/phone bounty related problems.

Once the go ahead is in place. the proting request will be queued for a specific evening which is only set to take place between the hours of 10:30-11:30 pm. An one hour period AFAIK.
During this change your SIM will continue to work on your old provider, until it is switched to the new provider, then of course your new sim you received form your new provider will be live. The change literally takes a few seconds.
Some providers even go so far as to guarantee no downtime at all on your cell #.

The Virgin (flagship, in Sandton City) store promised me overnight. The callcentre subsequently told me "up to three days" and, again, not only was my 084 number M.I.A, the SIM had been rendered useless too.

All numbers are in a central database and whom it is assigend to. This is integral to the switching progress.

I've been told by a pal in the biz that lots of the problem comes from CellC's inability to get even the basics right. Personally, after what I've been through I'm really inclined to believe him.

 

[lilDeath]

*splutter.choke.stare* ...um, yea: MY experience has been nothing of the sort. I had five DAYS of my 084 being utterly non-existent before I got it back ..and that with crapping on them daily. So, no: I'm not about to believe this one (no matter how good your intentions may be)

Well, the Virgin/CellC handling of the situation is craptacular at best. And, FTR, I ported off a prepaid CellC so should have had NO contract/phone bounty related problems.

The Virgin (flagship, in Sandton City) store promised me overnight. The callcentre subsequently told me "up to three days" and, again, not only was my 084 number M.I.A, the SIM had been rendered useless too.

I've been told by a pal in the biz that lots of the problem comes from CellC's inability to get even the basics right. Personally, after what I've been through I'm really inclined to believe him.

5 days!! .........
Anything is still possible and if the worst can happen, it most often will
When did all this take place, beginning stages or now recently?

*Please let me not experience what bdt has, I am a nice person*

 

[bdt]

When did all this take place, beginning stages or now recently?

I ported on 061205 and finally got use of my number again on the following Saturday evening, on 061209 ..and even then, only ultimately care of the direct intervention of a guy named Darlington, who's something like technical/network management level.

*Please let me not experience what bdt has, I am a nice person*

?? ..I REALLY don't know what you're on about, so not quite sure how to react, but the urge to flip the bird is really strong in me!

 

[ajax]

I am wondering if there are any hiccups with regards to international roaming with a ported number?

Also, if someone wants to send you an sms from the web, this is also a problem seeing that sites such as MTN and vodacom4me only allows specific prefixes.

 

[lilDeath]

I ported on 061205 and finally got use of my number again on the following Saturday evening, on 061209 ..and even then, only ultimately care of the direct intervention of a guy named Darlington, who's something like technical/network management level.

?? ..I REALLY don't know what you're on about, so not quite sure how to react, but the urge to flip the bird is really strong in me!

Ah, so you ported in the early days, hopefully the process is better now.

The urge is strong with you.

I am wondering if there are any hiccups with regards to international roaming with a ported number?

Also, if someone wants to send you an sms from the web, this is also a problem seeing that sites such as MTN and vodacom4me only allows specific prefixes.

These are all very interesting. The providers will have to update their websites though.
I cannot see it staying as is without only certain prefixes working.