National mobile number portability which is a promise that has yet to be delivered, will finally be available starting from May 3 this year, says the TRAI. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has amended this regulation in order to allow for the change.
According to a press release issued by the TRAI, the latest 6th Amendment to the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulation, 2009 has enabled pan-India MNP. This means you can change your service provider, but keep your old number anywhere in India. At present, subscribers can switch operators and retain their mobile number only as long as they do so within the same telecom circle.
National MNP changes the dynamics and puts more power in the hands of the consumer, while also encouraging competition among network providers. If a company doesn’t serve your needs in terms of quality of service or pricing plans, you will be able to opt for another one without facing the inconvenience of having to tell everyone in your contacts list about your new number or worrying about missing important calls.
Related post: National MNP coming in 2015, says Government of India
On November 3, 2014, the Department of Telecommunications made amendments to the MNP License Agreement and even issued an announcement stating that pan-India number portability would be available 6 months thereafter. The process of switching between telecom networks has also been tweaked here and there. In case a ported number is disconnected, it is returned to the operator who originally owned it.
Because there are millions of subscribers and only limited numbering resources. For folks who ignore the last postpaid bill they receive before they move on to another provider, the new company will send a 15-day notice to them at the request of the older one. If the customer doesn’t respond, outgoing facilities will be barred for 15 days more before being disconnected permanently upon failure to clear the payment.
Will you be switching your service provider when pan-India mobile number portability is kicked off from May 3 onwards?