Mobile Number Portability to Commence in India from September 20

Starting this September, mobile phone users in certain parts of the country will be able to switch operators while retaining their existing number. A notification from the Department of Telecom (DoT) was issued in this regard stating "Mobile number portability will be implemented in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka zone within 6 months of award of license. This will come in effect precisely on the 20th of September, 2009 and in the rest of the country by March 20, 2010".

Two companies namely Syniverse Technologies (Zone 1) and MNP Interconnection (Zone 2) have been licensed by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to carry out the MNP exercise. DoT declared that TRAI will decide on the kinds of tariffs related to MNP including the transaction fee to be charged from the customer for seeking change of number.

Zone 1 includes regions of Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (E and W), Delhi and Mumbai service areas. MNP Interconnections Telecom Solutions India Pvt Ltd will however provide MNP solutions in Zone 2 comprising Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, North East, Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, West Bengal and Kolkata service areas.

At the release DoT said "It is mandatory to facilitate timely implementation of mobile number portability service in the respective licensed service area by up gradation, operation and maintenance of his networks/systems to support MNP service operation at his own costs."

According to sources the number portability chargers are going to be lesser than Rs 300. Sources have informed that it will take maximum two days to change the service provider. In a bid to encourage the subscribers to change their service provider, the TRAI will keep the cost at a reasonable level.

The Mobile Number Portability is likely to be a welcome change for users who wish to opt for various service providers. The affordability and convenience offered by TRAI is bound to make it a success.

By: Amrith K. A.