MNP could mean market shake-up

21% of South African cellular subscribers believe they will change service provider once mobile number portability is introduced according to a recent survey. Research from Synovate shows that network switching has until now been relatively uncommon, but all that is set to change with MNP due to be launched next month. The introduction of a third player to the market has caused the greatest amount of swapping so far; 40% of Cell-C subscribers say they were previously with one of the two other players, MTN or Vodacom. MNP could also play into the hands of the recently-launched MVNO Virgin Mobile, which is targeting high-end users.