M A I N   N E W S

Your mobile No. is portable now
Girja Shankar Kaura/TNS

To switch networks, the subscriber has to send an SMS from his existing number to 1900. Based on this, he will be sent a unique porting code by the existing provider. The user will then have to file an application with the preferred service provider, mentioning the porting code for transferring the connection. However, subscribers will have to continue with an operator for at least three months before the next switch.

The maximum waiting period fixed for porting is seven working days. Of this, the number will remain out of service for just two hours.

However, MNP would be valid only within a circle. This means that mobile phone users would not be able to change the service provider if moving out of the state in which the number has been issued.

MNP will compel mobile operators to improve the quality of services in order to retain subscribers. The Prime Minister also emphasised this point as he launched the service, unveiled in Haryana last November, nationwide. “It is believed that mobile number portability, besides allowing a subscriber to switch operators without losing his or her original number will also trigger competition,” said the Prime Minister.

“Telecom service providers will seek to improve the range and quality of their services in order to retain their existing subscribers. This should further spur the growth of the Indian telecom sector,” he added. The two ministers of state in the Telecommunications Ministry — Sachin Pilot and Gurudas Kamat — were also present at the launch function.

India currently has the largest mobile phone user network in the world after China but ahead of the US. The country has been adding 15-18 million new mobile phone connections to the network every month. MNP was to be initially implemented by December 31, 2009, but was delayed several times as operators were not ready with the required infrastructure.

MNP technology is widely prevalent in most parts of Europe and North America, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.

The Procedure

Send an SMS PORT <space> mobile number to 1900 from your existing number

You will get a unique porting code via SMS

Contact your chosen service provider with the code received, complete formalities & get a new SIM

Replace the old SIM with the new one after the date & time specified to you

BSNL waives port fee, offers freebies

State-run BSNL has waived port charges for subscribers switching to its network. For prepaid customers, BSNL also offered free of charge 2G, 3G SIM cards and additional talk value of Rs 100. These freebies will be in addition to the normal free talk value associated with FRC. Along with this, subscriber would get 5GB GPRS and 3G services free of charge for a month. Postpaid customers moving to BSNL shall also have 50 per cent rebate on first month charges besides free SIM and port fee waiver.