The competent independent authority for communications in Greece has put into effect new rules for the so-called portability of telephone numbers - fixed and mobile. See what you should pay attention to before submitting a request for portability to a new provider's network (possible cost of disconnection from the existing provider and/or new connection from the new provider), how long you will have to wait, how long your telephone connection may be interrupted and when you can claim compensation for delay.
EETT announced the new regulations for number portability, citing the promotion of transparency, speed and more effective control of the process by subscribers themselves, referring to potentially unfair practices that exist until now. The protection of consumer rights and the stimulation of competition in the telephony market are priorities, the Authority notes.
What exactly is portability?
Number Portability is the ability of each subscriber to keep their telephone number when changing electronic communications provider. The Number Portability service concerns the maintenance of the geographic number within the same geographic area, as it corresponds to a National Destination Code (e.g. 210, 211, 2310). Of course, this restriction does not apply to mobile telephone numbers (and non-geographic numbers in general).
The subscriber can transfer his number to a different network as often as he wants, without any limitation. Also, the subscriber has the right to number portability even if he is connected to the provider with a fixed-term contract. However, this right does not limit to the minimum the subscriber's obligations arising from his contract with the provider he is leaving (Donor provider), such as for example the obligation to pay disconnection fees before the end of the contract.
Does portability cost money? It may, indirectly, cost money
EETT has not set a “number portability fee” that is imposed on subscribers for the portability of their numbers. However, a “number portability fee” may be imposed by the new provider to its network, based on its commercial policy (the existing provider does not have the right to impose a fee for number portability). However, the current practice of companies is to make portability free of charge - after all, this would be a disincentive to change provider.
On the other hand, providers have the right to impose an "activation/connection fee" for the activation of new connections on their networks. In any case, subscribers can be informed by the new provider before submitting the portability application about the amount of the portability fee (if any) and the amount of the activation/connection fee that will be charged.
Portability request processing time
Furthermore, according to the EETT regulations that have already come into force:
- the time for examining and implementing requests for portability is accelerated
The new provider must forward the subscriber's portability request to the existing provider within a maximum of one business day from the date of submission by the subscriber. The Donor provider must accept or reject the request within 6 business hours from the date of receipt of the number portability request. Once the request is accepted, the number transfer must be completed within one business day from the date of acceptance. Therefore, the total processing time for the number transfer does not exceed three (3) business days from the date the subscriber submitted the portability request to the Receiving provider.
In the case of fixed telephony portability, accompanied by a request for full unbundling of the local loop (connection to a new telephony network), the transfer of the number(s) is processed on the day of delivery of the fully unbundled local loop.
The transfer time may be extended due to a delay attributable to the subscriber, such as due to the subscriber submitting a request to activate their number to the Receiving provider on a date other than the date resulting from the above deadline or due to the subscriber receiving the SIM card late (in mobile telephony).
The maximum service interruption time during the number transfer process is 2 hours.
Why your application may be rejected
- the reasons for rejecting the application are limited
The existing provider (Donor) must reject the number portability request only:
– If the Tax Identification Number or the Identity Card or Passport Number of the request is different from the corresponding information in the Donor provider’s possession.
– If the number (or numbers) for which the request is submitted is inactive
– If the number (or numbers) for which the request is submitted belongs to another subscriber.
– In the case of transferring a group of consecutive numbers, when the group does not have a specific size
In the event of rejection of a subscriber's number portability request, the Receiving Provider must inform the subscriber of the reasons for the rejection of his request and inform him of the required actions that he must take to successfully process his request.
- the submission of all portability requests and subscriber cancellation requests is confirmed by the provider
- is established for delayed porting and abusive porting of numbers.
More information regarding number portability can be found at https://www.eett.gr or on the special website www.foritotita.gr, to which we refer you for any updated information.
How much am I charged for a call to another provider's network?
With portability, the first digits of the telephone number no longer indicate the company (provider) to which the called party belongs. As a result, the subscriber cannot know whether he is calling a number belonging to the same or another network, in order to estimate the corresponding charge. With the special application of EETT on foritotita.gr, “Find the provider of a number”, subscribers can be informed whether the call they are about to make is within or outside their provider’s network and consequently estimate the relevant charge, depending on the financial plan they have.
Who is charging me?
In addition to billing transparency, knowing the provider to which a number belongs can also help in other cases, such as in the case of submitting a complaint about a high-cost number to the company that owns the number.
EETT states that it will continue to focus its actions on transparency in the relationships between subscribers and providers, the fulfillment of the providers' obligations, and the improvement of the quality of the services provided.
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