There have been ten years since the users of mobile electronic communication networks in the Republic of Serbia were enabled to port their number from one mobile operator’s network to another operator’s network. All three mobile electronic communication network operators with a valid license issued by RATEL, including one virtual mobile operator Globaltel, registered in the records of electronic communication operators, kept by RATEL, are obligated, in accordance with the Law on Electronic Communications („Official gazette of RS“, Nos. 44/10, 60/13-CC, 62/14 and 95/18-other law) and the Rulebook on number portability in public mobile telecommunication networks („Official gazette of RS“, No. 101/14) to provide the service of number portability. Over the last ten years, 1 025 771 numbers in mobile networks have been ported.

As of April 2014, the number portability was also made possible in public fixed electronic communication networks, in line with the procedure set out in the Rulebook on number portability in public telephone networks at a fixed location („Official Gazette of RS“, No. 52/11) adopted by RATEL. Since then, there have been around 400 000 cases of geographic number porting from one operator’s network to another operator’s network, which is a considerable number, taking into account the ever decreasing use of fixed telephony.

The number portability is available both to legal and natural persons that can be registered both as post paid and pre paid users, enabling them to choose the desired operator and keep their number.

RATEL also established the Central database of ported numbers and developped a special application offering other detailed additional information regarding the number portability procedure at  www.prenesibroj.rs.

The number portability exists in all countries of the EU and the region and is considered an important drive for competition and market liberalization. RATEL has, in conclusion, successfully responded to the challenge of number portability implementation, which required setting up the solutions pertaining to legal, administrative and technical issues, including coordination with operators of mobile and fixed telephony, all of which is being effectively maintained in the present moment. This enables the great number of users of mobile and fixed telephony to easily change the operator and keep their number in the process, while the operators are encouraged to be more competitive and offer better services to their users.