The Public Utilities Commission (PUC), established in 1990, announced on Saturday that, starting February 10, 2025, cellphone and landline subscribers in Guyana will be able to keep their current phone numbers when switching between service providers.
The PUC, which is responsible for regulating the water, electricity and telecommunications sectors in Guyana, aims to promote fair competition, protect consumer interests, and ensure the provision of reliable services. The commission plays a key role in overseeing the implementation of regulatory policies and initiatives, such as number portability, that enhance consumer choice and service quality.
According to the PUC, subscribers who wish to change their service provider will need to visit the retail store of their chosen provider and complete the necessary porting forms. A valid identification will be required to process the request.
Mobile number porting is expected to be completed within one business day, while fixed line porting may take up to five business days.
For more information about the porting process and answers to frequently asked questions, subscribers can visit the PUC’s website at http://www.puc.org.gy or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pucgy. Subscribers can also contact the Commission during business hours at 226-7042, 227-2182, or 336-6077, or reach out via WhatsApp at 623-3222 or 624-6000 for additional details.
The PUC emphasised that number portability would encourage greater competition in Guyana’s telecommunications sector, giving consumers more freedom to choose their providers. The move is also seen as a significant step toward improving consumer choice and fostering innovation in the industry.
This development follows further liberalisation of the local telecommunications sector on October 5, 2020, and the issuance of the Telecommunications (Commencement of Number Portability Obligations) Order by Prime Minister, Ret’d Brigadier Mark Phillips, on July 1, 2021.
In line with the Prime Minister’s directive, the PUC was charged with overseeing the smooth roll-out of number portability, which has been managed by the Number Portability Working Group (NPWG), established in August 2021. The group, chaired by the PUC, includes representatives from the country’s telecommunications service providers and the telecommunications agency.
The NPWG has been meeting weekly to monitor critical testing phases of the service. A specialized technical subgroup, made up of project managers and technical leads from each service provider, was also created to address challenges and ensure seamless system integration across all networks.
Key milestones for the NPWG include the development and approval of the Business Rules, which define the operational guidelines for number portability, and the contracting of PXS B.V., a Netherlands-based clearinghouse provider, licensed to administer number portability services in Guyana.
The PUC and the telecommunications providers have been working together on rigorous technical testing to ensure that the service will be fully functional when it goes live on February 10, 2025. This effort is expected to provide a smooth transition for subscribers and ensure the successful implementation of number portability for all telecommunications users in Guyana.
