Subscribers to retain their numbers when changing mobile service providers

On the portal of discussions of normative-legal acts, a draft order of the Minister of IT and Communications, envisaging the abolition of “mobile slavery” was published for discussion. 
 
According to the draft document, it is determined that the procedure for transferring a subscriber number in mobile communication networks, maintaining and operating a centralized base of portable numbers, providing access to its resources, as well as organizational-technical interaction and mutual settlements between telecommunications operators while transferring subscriber numbers will be maintained. 
 
In addition, the document proposed to introduce a service for the transfer of a subscriber number for the subscriber which will be provided by mobile operators on a fee basis. 
 
The transfer of the subscriber number is provided to the subscriber no more than once every 180 calendar days. Portable numbers can only be numbers allocated to mobile operators. Changes in the dialing format due to number portability are not allowed. 
 
Portability of numbers used to provide fixed telephonic services to mobile networks and vice versa is prohibited. 
 
Upon termination of the contract for the provision of mobile communication services with the client, the transferred subscriber number shall be returned to the primary operator within 1 business day, except for cases of re-registration of the transferred subscriber number to the name of a new owner.