Papua New Guinea has approved recommendations to introduce mobile number portability, allowing customers to keep their phone numbers when changing mobile networks once the service is implemented.
In an announcement published on 28 October 2026, the Department of Information and Communications Technology said ICT Minister Robert Naguri accepted NICTA’s recommendations in full.
What is mobile number portability?
Mobile number portability lets you move to another mobile provider while retaining your existing number.
For example, a small business could switch networks without replacing the contact number printed on its signs, business cards and advertisements.
What is planned?
According to the Department of ICT, the proposed arrangements include:
• No porting charges for consumers.
• A switching process intended to take one working day.
• A central database to support number transfers between operators.
When will it become available?
The announcement targets full rollout within 24 months. It does not announce an immediate public launch.
Customers should wait for official instructions from NICTA and their mobile providers before attempting to transfer a number.
Why this matters for PNG businesses
Keeping a familiar contact number could help businesses maintain contact with customers while choosing a network that better suits their needs.
However, businesses should still compare local coverage, reliability and package costs before deciding to switch. Keeping a number does not itself guarantee better reception or cheaper service.
Source: PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology, announcement dated 28 October 2026.
Source: https://www.ict.gov.pg/png-mobile-users-to-keep-their-numbers-when-switching-networks-as-ict-minister-approves-mobile-number-portability-recommendations/