Mauritius Plans to Let You Switch Phone Networks, Keep Your Number

Mauritius is preparing to introduce Mobile Number Portability (MNP) — a reform that would allow mobile phone users to switch from one network operator to another while keeping their existing phone number. Currently, changing your telecom provider in Mauritius means giving up your number entirely, a significant inconvenience that discourages many subscribers from leaving their current operator even when they are unhappy with pricing or service quality. MNP would remove that barrier. **What is Mobile Number Portability?** MNP is a telecom policy already standard in dozens of countries, including France, the UK, South Africa, and India. It allows a consumer to retain their mobile number regardless of which network they subscribe to. The process is managed through a centralised database that routes calls and messages to the correct network in real time. In Mauritius, the telecommunications sector is regulated by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA). The island's main mobile operators include Emtel, My.T (Mauritius Telecom), and MTML (Chili), giving consumers a limited but competitive marketplace. **Why does this matter?** For ordinary Mauritians, MNP could be a game-changer. Many people stay with a provider simply because switching would mean updating their number with employers, banks, family, and government services — a time-consuming hassle. MNP eliminates that friction. For the telecom industry, portability typically forces operators to compete harder on price, data packages, and customer service, since retaining customers becomes more difficult once the switching barrier is removed. For businesses and professionals, keeping one stable number regardless of network is particularly valuable. **Where does Mauritius stand?** The push for MNP in Mauritius has been discussed at a regulatory level for some time. The country's authorities are now reported to be in active preparation to implement the system, according to Le Défi Media. No firm launch date has yet been announced publicly, and the technical and regulatory framework — including how porting requests will be handled and within what timeframe — is still being finalised. **What this means for consumers** Once MNP is live, Mauritians will likely be able to submit a porting request to their chosen new operator, who will then coordinate the transfer with the current provider. In most countries where MNP operates, the switch is completed within one to three working days, often with only a brief interruption in service. Consumers should watch for announcements from the ICTA and individual operators regarding the rollout timeline, any applicable fees, and the process for initiating a port. This reform, if implemented effectively, represents one of the most consumer-friendly telecom changes Mauritius has seen in years — and signals that regulators are taking market competition seriously. Source: Le Défi Media