­Mobile number portability represents both a threat and an opportunity for operators in Latin America. Which one it is depends on a given operator’s ability to anticipate customer needs and to offer services that have more value to them, according to a new report from Pyramid Research.

Pyramid believes any operator can benefit from Mobile Number Portability (MNP). For many operators, the main source of revenue growth is the acquisition of new clients, but as mobile penetration reaches high levels in many Latin America markets, finding new clients becomes more and more difficult. In these circumstances, MNP becomes an important consideration because it allows customers to churn between networks.

In a market that is reaching saturation, the best way to grow is either by stealing clients from your competitors or by taking your customers to the next level by increasing the usage of data services. MNP levels the playing field, giving all market players a relatively equal opportunity to acquire customers as it shifts the battle to a more strategic ground; this enables operators to compete with better market tools, such as service.”