The Number Portability Act allows users to keep their phone number when changing cell phone service providers in Honduras.

After a string of failed attempts by the opposition, yesterday the Honduran Congress approved a new cell phone law, the Number Portability Act, which will remove the chains that currently prevent mobile phone users from using the same phone number with any of the cell phone providers in Honduras.

Under the new cell phone law, to take effect no later than September, a person can use their existing telephone number with a new service provider without incurring any additional charges.

The company that the user chooses will ask the applicant for their phone chip and identity card in order to validate information concerning the authenticity of the number.  The cell phone service provider will also determine if there is any outstanding balance owed to the company which previously provided the services.

Before the adoption of the new law, the President of the National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL), Ricardo Cardona, made a brief statement about the Number Portability Act. Cardona said that this is an issue of competence and service, and reflects a commitment by the State of Honduras with other nations through international conventions established by the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.

Cardona said that Honduras is the only country in Central America that has not approved number portability, which is a mechanism that will help to increase healthy competition. The implementation costs will be covered entirely by the telephone companies, after a consultation between the operating companies that are ready to execute the change.

 
CELL PHONE LAW DATABASE WILL BE SECURE

The Number Portability Act requires hiring a company to oversee the database of all companies; the costs will be covered entirely by the operators. CONATEL will be connected with the company that manages the database , inorder to keep track of the numbers provided by the companies that provide telephone service. Originally, the concept of carrying your number was included in the Population Security Act, but  it was never implemented.

 
THE DATA

7.5 million persons use mobile phone companies, according to CONATEL.

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