Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is the ability to keep your phone number when switching from one mobile operator to another – and this has become a standard thing in most markets now. As a result, businesses have to keep in mind that people are going to keep their numbers even when they switch networks.
How does Mobile Number Portability (MNP) work?
When you move to a new operator, the switch happens quietly in the background & your phone number stays the same. This is actually pretty important for messages and calls though – because what network a number is on can change & if you don’t know which network it is on now, you can end up with messages and calls getting routed wrong or charged the wrong amount. An MNP lookup does a quick check on the network a number is actually on now – which is often bundled with a HLR lookup – & this helps get those messages and calls sent in the right way & priced right too.
How Onextel helps with Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
Onextel takes into account the fact that people are going to port their numbers when routing & validating messages – so messages actually make it to the people they’re meant for & not get lost elsewhere because the number has been ported. Using number lookup services, businesses can figure out which network a number is actually on now – which all helps with routing accuracy, deliverability & keeping an eye on costs especially if you’re sending out to a ton of contacts where ported numbers might otherwise mess up where the message ends up.
Why it matters
The thing is, people are switching networks & keeping their numbers, so the network a number appears to belong to isn’t always where it really lives – & if you get that wrong then you’re going to end up with failed or mispriced messages. But if you can see that a number has been ported to a different network, you can route those messages correctly & keep costs accurate – which is a real lifesaver for anyone who is sending big volumes of messages.