It is official now that telecom subscribers on the four GSM networks in Nigeria can change their numbers every 90 days following the flag off, today, of the mobile number portability scheme by the National Communications Commission (NCC).

At a ceremony in Lagos featuring the telecom firms, members of the National Assembly, NCC officials as well as the referee – Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited – the NCC said all was now in place to make the MNP scheme work in Nigeria.

Two days ahead of the formal launch, leading telecoms service provider Airtel Networks had extended its welcome to subscribers by affirming the existence of network capacity to take in additional subscribers.

Airtel at a media briefing at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel affirmed that its investment of $1.5b over a 30 month period was spent mainly on upgrading and optimising its network as well as preparing for more subscribers. CEO Airtel Nigeria SegunOgunsanya said the Airtel network has capacity for double its current subscription number of 25 million.

Ogunsanya cited the latest NCC audit of telcos that showed Airtel outperforming all other operators on criteria set by NCC.

•Photo (L-R): Executive Vice Chairman NCC, Eugene Juwah, Airtel CEO/MD, Segun Ogunsaya, and former NCC EVC, Ernest Ndukwe at the flag off of MNP … today in Lagos.