This paper examines the consequences of introducing mobile number portability (MNP). As MNP allows consumers to keep their telephone number when switching providers, it reduces consumers’ switching costs. However, MNP may also cause consumer ignorance if telephone numbers no longer identify networks. As a result, while fostering competition for mobile customers, MNP may also induce operators to increase termination charges for calls to mobile networks, generating ambiguous welfare e.ects. We examine how extensions such as MNP based on call-forwarding, termination fee regulation, and alternative means of carrier identification a.ect these findings.
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by University of Zurich, Socioeconomic Institute in its series Working Papers with number
0303.
Length: 16 pages Date of creation: Mar 2003 Date of revision:
Jul 2003 Publication status: Published in Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade 4(3), 2004, pages 223-238 Handle: RePEc:soz:wpaper:0303
Find related papers by JEL classification: L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
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