Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/23535 
Year of Publication: 
2003
Series/Report no.: 
Diskussionspapier No. 17
Publisher: 
Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg, Fächergruppe Volkswirtschaftslehre, Hamburg
Abstract: 
This paper examines the consequences of introducing mobile number portability (MNP). As MNP allows consumers to keep their telephone number when switching providers, it reduces consumers' switching costs. However, MNP may also cause consumer ignorance if telephone numbers no longer identify networks. As a result, while fostering competition for mobile customers, MNP may also induce operators to increase termination charges for calls to mobile networks, gener-ating ambiguous welfare effects. We examine how extensions such as MNP based on call-forwarding, termination fee regulation, and alternative means of carrier identification affect these findings.
Subjects: 
number portability
switching costs
telecommunications
network competition
JEL: 
L13
L96
L51
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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