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Number portability is about allowing
a mobile number to be used across different network operator. To implement it
is technically quite challenging. In order not to have big impact on the current
network operation or put big investment in this service, some network operators
choose to use the "call forward" technique. This technique makes the
user hand phone number remains in the port-from network. But it is permanently
forwarded to a new number (port-to number) belonging to the port-to network. The
port-to number is not made known to the user. The user now belongs to the port-to
network and he can continue to receive calls from the port-from number. So number
portability is achieved. However there is an issue, when someone sends an SMS
to the user at the port-from number, the port-from network is not able to deliver
it to the port-to number. SMS portability solution is designed to overcome this
limitation.
SMS portability solution is installed in
the service provider network. It is able to capture all SMS messages for the port-from
numbers and deliver them to the port-to network. It compliments the number portability
solution to provide a true number portability service.
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