Mobile Number Portability or MNP users of all networks have been complaining, since long, that they keep getting promotional messages or what they call SPAM from their current networks and the previous ones.
This is apparently due to the fact that cellular companies don’t withdraw subscribers’ data from their records after a user ports out of their network. Hence, whenever they queue a promotional SMS, it is sent to all subscribers, even to those who are now part of other mobile networks.
Situation worsens particularly when a user opts for MNP service to jump to more than 2 or say all mobile networks. He ends up getting promotional messages of all the previous networks plus his current network.
Even more confusing state is achieved, when SMS sender numbers of more than two mobile companies match, for instance, if Ufone is using 301 for a particular service and messages are sent from 301 – while on other hands Telenor is using same number (301) for a service and messages to Telenor subscribers are sent from 301, in this situation, MNP users barely distinguish the source network of the message.
As we have more than 3 million MNP users in the country, by not sending SMS to other network subscribers, mobile companies can save huge resources. (Only if cellar companies don’t do this intentionally, to market their new products and services to those who have ported out)
PTA may need to intervene in this by making it essential to withdraw all details of those users who have ported out of any mobile network – and not to engage ported out customers in any promotional activities.
