Mobile companies in Zimbabwe are reportedly dragging their feet in adopting mobile number portability (MNP) as they are not opening up their numbering systems to subscribers intending to switch over to other networks.

Telecom industry officials and executives have told ITWeb Africa that the state regulator, the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), should enforce mobile number portability.

However, knowledgeable sources said this requires massive investment into mobile numbering systems and platforms by Potraz.

"The availability of the numbers has remained a problem and operators will not easily open up to losing subscribers. For this to fully work, Potraz should take charge of the numbering system and platforms such that no operator has control and can manipulate those intending to switch over," said a telecom executive.

Angeline Vere, the newly appointed chief executive officer of Telecel Zimbabwe told ITWeb Africa that "some operators are frustrating the system because they have control over it".

Despite some operators dragging their feet in full implementation of this, Telecel and NetOne had reportedly started to allow subscribers to switch over to their networks and also keeping their last six mobile number digits if it is still available.

There was no immediate official comment from Potraz whose board has been dissolved by ICT Minister, Supa Mandiwanzira.

However, officials there - who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Potraz was yet to fully approve mobile number portability and added that the regulatory body was looking into the issue, although they highlighted that there were other pressing issues such as infrastructure sharing that needed to be addressed first.