A simulation tool for the comparison of the number portability solutions

Number Portability is a very important instrument for competition in telecommunication sector. This study aims to investigate Number Portability and the solutions for constructing and managing Number Portability from the point of technical and economical aspects. Also, other applications of Number Portability in some countries have been examined. There are three types of Number Portability, which are Service Portability, Service Provider Portability, and Geographic Portability. This study has emphasized on Service Provider Portability. There are three types of Service Provider Portability which are non-Geographic Number Portability, Geographic Number Portability, and Mobile Number Portability. Nowadays, the solutions, which are used for Number Portability, are On-Switch solutions and Off-Switch solutions. On-Switch solutions consist of Onward Routing solution and Call Drop Back solution. Off-Switch solutions consist of Query on Release solution and All Call Query solution. A simulation tool was developed and applied to compare these four solutions. The results obtained from the simulation tool have been analyzed and evaluated. Keywords: Number Portability, Number Portability Solutions, Simulation