Bulgaria's first mobile operator Mobiltel launches Friday wireless number portability service after successfully conducted technical tests in cooperation with the its two competitors Globul and Vivatel.
The wireless number portability came after Bulgaria's three mobile operators signed a framework agreement to make the service available between networks a month ago.
"Mobiltel, Globul and Vivatel made a number of concessions in the process of negotiations with the only goal to start the service on time and in the interest of the clients," the telecoms' watchdog said previously in a statement.
Bulgaria had to implement the service as soon as it joined the EU on January 1, 2007 but just ten days later Mtel refused to join the agreement already signed by the other two wireless carriers.
The saga went on for the entire year, with the telecoms regulator intervening in August to speed up proceedings, but to no avail, giving the European Commission reason to start infringement procedures against Bulgaria over its telecoms regulator lacking independence and effectiveness in November last year.
The switch will be done during the night for the convenience of the clients and will take no more than seven hours, during which clients will not be able to use their phones.