Mobile Number Portability Service to be Launched tomorrow

Mobile Number Portability Service to be Launched tomorrow
Shri Kapil Sibal to Inaugurate the Service in Rohtak, Haryana

The much awaited Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service will be launched tomorrow in Rohtak, Haryana. The Union Minister of Communications & IT Shri Kapil Sibal with Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana as the Chief Guest will inaugurate the service at a function in Rohtak at 3 p.m. on 25.11.2010.

A plan for phased migration of networks in all the remaining 22 (excluding Haryana) Licensed Service Areas in the country for working in MNP scenario is being chalked out in consultation with service providers. The detailed program for the entire country will be announced separately.

From tomorrow, mobile phone customers in Haryana Licensed Service Area (LSA) will have the choice of selecting their telecom service provider (operator) with out changing their number, provided a minimum period of 90 days has elapsed after subscription to the mobile service of the current service provider. For change of service provider i.e. porting, a subscriber has to send an SMS (PORTMobile Number) from the number he wishes to be ported, to number 1900 whereby a Unique Porting Code (UPC) will be received on SMS from his current service provider. The subscriber will need to apply in the prescribed application form to the chosen new service provider quoting the UPC which will act as a reference while filling up the application form with new service provider.

The new service provider will then take action to get the required processes completed to enable the subscriber to get connected to his network. Porting has to be completed within 7 working days. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has put a ceiling of Rs. 19/- on porting charges which the new service provider may collect from the subscriber. Post-paid subscribers before making the porting request, have to make sure that their last bill has been paid failing which the request for change to new service provider shall be rejected. In the case of pre-paid subscriber any balance amount left will not be carried forward when the number is transferred to the new service provider.