Commerce Commission makes number portability progress

The Commerce Commission has taken another step towards introducing number portability, which allows customers to keep their phone numbers when they move from one network provider to another.

Most overseas markets offer some form of number portability but in New Zealand it has been the subject of protracted negotiation for nearly a decade.

The draft report details how the costs of introduction will be apportioned among industry players.

Submissions on the draft report are due by February 7 and the commission will then hold a conference on the matter. A final ruling will be made next year.