Number portability could be in place by year-end

Ecuador's telecom authority Senatel is expected to have a final report on number portability ready by mid-April in order to implement the system by the end of this year, local newspapers reported. Senatel has recommended hiring an independent operator to administrate the databases and transfer all calls. The implementation of all equipment needed for number portability would cost US$6mn-8mn, the reports said. Number portability allows mobile users to maintain their same mobile number even if they change operators. Last December, Ecuador telecoms regulator Conatel launched the project after Alegro PCS proposed the idea as a way to eliminate competitive barriers and force operators to increase their offering and the quality of service. As at the end of 2004, Ecuador's mobile operators had 3.45 million lines in service. América Móvil (NYSE: AMX) unit Porta had 2.31 million users, BellSouth Ecuador 1.12 million and advanced mobile service provider Alegro PCS, which started operations in December 2003 on CDMA technology, 107,356 users.