Branson calls for earlier implementation of WNP

UK entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson is calling for a swifter implementation of wireless number portability (WNP) in Canada and says he plans to lobby the prime minister in order to speed up its introduction. Branson has been vocal in his criticism of Canada’s incumbent cellcos whom he accuses of dragging their heels over the matter, and has warned that unless the country’s politicians ‘use their muscle’ and ‘force them to stop’, WNP won’t materialise for at least two years. Branson launched his Virgin Mobile business in Canada in March using network capacity rented from Bell Mobility, and targeting the youth segment and lower-value users with simple pricing and no contract deals.