Khaberni - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority expects number portability services, which enable subscribers to switch between mobile telecommunications companies within Jordan while retaining the same mobile phone number, to be available in April 2027.
The Authority stated that it is working on implementing the mobile number portability project within the regulatory and time frame approved in the relevant instructions (Mobile Number Portability Service Instructions for the year (2025)).
The Mobile Number Portability Service Instructions for the year (2025) were published in the Official Gazette in October 2025.
The Authority added that, according to the timeline stated in the project's instructions (18 months from the date of enforcement/issuance of the instructions), the service is expected to be available in the Jordanian market by April 2027, subject to the completion of the technical, operational, and commercial requirements by the system's participants (operators/solution provider/technical integrations).
Regarding the nature of the "number portability" service, the Authority stated that it allows subscribers to switch between mobile telecommunications companies within the kingdom while keeping the same mobile phone number (the full number) without needing to change it, according to specific controls and procedures to ensure service continuity and protect subscribers' rights and quality of execution.
The number of mobile phone subscriptions in Jordan (postpaid and prepaid) is 8,475,725 subscriptions including 5,494,414 prepaid, which constitutes 65% of total subscriptions and 2,981,311 postpaid subscriptions making up 35% of the total, according to the telecommunications sector indicators report for the third quarter of 2025 issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
The mobile phone subscriptions are distributed among three operators in the local market, while the report does not discuss the market share of each operator.
According to the instructions, the mobile number portability service is defined as the service provided by an operator to mobile phone subscribers, allowing them to keep their mobile phone numbers when switching from one operator to another.
The Mobile Number Portability Service Center is defined as the center authorized by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, contracted with mobile telecommunications network operators to operate and manage the mobile number portability service.
The "receiving operator" is defined as the operator that will activate the mobile phone number on its network after the transfer process is completed, whereas the donating operator is defined as the operator that has activated the mobile phone number on its network when the transfer request is submitted.
According to the instructions, the subscriber wishing to transfer one or more mobile phone numbers must submit a transfer request at one of the branches of the receiving operator or the approved sales points, or through any other available and approved means by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
The receiving operator begins the process of transferring mobile phone numbers, managing the transfer of the number on behalf of the subscriber.
Subscribers confirm the transfer process by sending a free short text message to the Mobile Number Portability Service Center after submitting the transfer request.
The transfer process for the subscriber must be completed within a maximum of one business day from the date of the transfer request submission, according to the controls specified in the document, which determine the terms of number transfer and the duration to complete the process, including aspects related to bulk number transfers within the document.
Mobile telecommunications network operators are obliged to initiate contracting procedures with the Mobile Number Portability Service Center to operate and manage this service, and to automate the number transfer process starting from the submission of the transfer request, integrating the systems and networks of the operators with the Portability Service Center, including verification, deactivation, and activation processes.
Operators must comply with the number transfer procedures stipulated in the instructions and must not refuse any request to transfer a number or numbers except in cases specified by the document. They are required to issue and publish explanatory guidelines for subscribers outlining the transfer procedures; to ensure a smooth transfer, retain all data and information related to number transfer processes for no less than (12) months, and provide it to the Authority upon request.
The Mobile Number Portability Service will be operated and managed through the Mobile Number Portability Service Center.
The instructions stipulate that the receiving operator must return the transferred number to the donating operator, in addition to bearing all costs associated with this if it is proven that the transfer of the mobile phone number was contrary to what is stipulated in these instructions.
The Mobile Number Portability Service is subject to the provisions contained in the document, which determine the procedures, terms, and functions associated with the transfer process, in addition to the responsibilities of the involved operators; to ensure an effective transfer experience focused on subscriber service.
