OREANDA-NEWS. February 08, 2012. Bakcell, The First Mobile Operator of Azerbaijan is communicating new mobile dial-up rules to its customers starting from mid-January. In accordance with the new rules, Bakcell customers should dial the 055 prefix before the number to make on-net calls (for example, 055 XXX-XX-XX), reported the press-centre of Bakcell.

Bakcell is implementing this new 10 digits dialing in preparation of the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) into the network infrastructure. MNP is the ability to change mobile service provider without changing phone number. In other words, once MNP is implemented customers will have the ability to shift from one mobile operator to another one without changing their mobile number.

“I think number portability is definitely of benefit to the market. It will increase competition in Azerbaijan’s mobile communication market. We are very committed to the introduction of MNP. It’s been shown in other markets to increase customer choice, which is always a good thing. For us, we see a significant opportunity to attack the Corporate segment and also the National Businesses segment.

Bakcell’s revenues and profits mostly come from the consumer market and we see opportunities to move into the big international Corporates and also large national businesses operating in Azerbaijan, which for one reason or another generally have accounts with our competitors. We think the credibility we have built up in the consumer market puts us in a very good position to move into these segments”, says Mr. Richard Shearer, CEO of Bakcell.