The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is paving the way for the introduction of mobile number portability, to step up competition within the telecommunications industry.
"Under the proposed amendments, telecommunications providers will be required to allow customers to change providers while keeping their existing numbers," Acting ACA Chairman, Bob Horton said.
The government regulator of telecommunications has released draft amendments to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan for public comment. The proposed amendments will deliver mobile number portability to consumers from September 25 this year.
The move follows the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's call for the ACA to amend mobile number portability.
Australia's largest telco Telstra has welcomed the shake-up, saying the portability of mobile numbers removes barriers for customers and creates competition in the marketplace.
"This fosters greater competition in the market, we see it as an opportunity to win back customers that may have left us in the past," a Telstra spokesperson said.
The proposed amendments will provide opportunities for increased competition in the telecommunications marketplace and deliver real benefits to consumers and industry, the ACA said.
The public can make submissions for the next 90 days.
About time. It gets a bit confusing with so many numbers already, whether they be credit card, telephone or PIN.