When connecting to the network of any mobile operator, 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 as soon as the subscriber prefers his operator to a competitor, he also has to change his own number. And this is not always convenient. Therefore, many are forced to remain faithful to their cellular company. On the Internet, this state of affairs has been called mobile slavery.
For more than a year now, there has been talk that it should be possible 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. A date was also set when it would be possible to change the operator while maintaining the number. Already in December 2013, the service will work in test mode, and from April next, it will be possibledo it to everyone.
Many customers attribute this lengthy service implementation to operators' unwillingness to share their subscribers. However, this is only partly true. The fact is that today 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 billing all calls today. After the change of operator with the preservation of the number is possible, it will be necessary to completely change all methods of payment. This means that a complete change of equipment and the creation of a single database of telephone numbers will be required. And this requires not only large cash injections, but also time.
But the legislative initiative also has opponents. They believe that this will lead to confusion in tariffing. After all, after that it will be difficult to judge by the numbers of the number which operator it belongs to. From their point of view, changing a mobile operator while keeping the number is an absolutely unnecessary service, since there are many other options to notify friends, relatives and colleagues about this.
Unconditional forwarding, SMS and voice alert on the old number - from their point of view, this is more than enough. But these methods have their drawbacks. When using forwarding, you will need to monitor the balance of funds on the old number, as you will have to pay for each redirected call. Unlike the first option, SMS-mailing will require only one-time costs. Surely friends and family will keep the new numbersubscriber. But the clients of such a person may ignore such a message. In the latter version, the service will not require any costs from the client, you just need to set everything up correctly.
But such an alert will work for no more than three months, while the old number is valid. These inconveniences have led to the fact that in the near future it will be possible to change the operator while maintaining the number.
Even 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 up to 3 million subscribers can use the service in the first year. But today, unfortunately, not a single cellular company guarantees whether all services will work correctly after the operator is changed with the number saved.
