Vodafone Launches Ask a Doctor Service

Vodafone India today announced the launch of 1st ever Wap health portal “Ask a doctor” a unique health portal for its customers. With the current service health and care service launched its becomes the simplest mode to ask any query on health.

This service is priced at Rs. 5/day and allows customers to ask unlimited queries or questions from qualified experts. Answers to the queries or questions will be provided within 24 hours.

Few features of the health portal ,Any questions asked by the customers will be archived in the “My questions” section for any future reference. Also customers can browse through the questions asked by the users. Customers can know about the questions asked by the others users also.

Customers can know various myths & facts related with a disease.Interesting medical cases in the Very short story format. Basics health tips will also be updated to handle some common challenges.How to activate sms HC5 from your Vodafone number and send it to 111 / 144. Charged at Rs. 5/day with unlimited queries. To cancel CAN<>HC5 to 111/144.

Courtesy : http://telecomtalk.info

Safety Of Mobile Phones

Remember to ::
	Keep your phone out of sight in your pocket or handbag when not in use
	Use your phone's security lock code, if it has one
	Install a tracer software if it is available in the market.
	Record details of your IMEI number or Electronic Serial Number (ESN) and consider separate insurance
	You can obtain IMEI number by typing *#06# (star hash 06 hash) into your mobile phone and it will display a 15 digit number
	Feed your address and alternative number in welcome message of your mobile phone. If it is found, you can be contacted at least.
	Copy the sensitive data, contact details and pictures from mobile phone to your personal computer.
	Report a lost or stolen phone to the police immediately
	Inform your service provider if your phone is stolen or lost

Don't
	Attract attention to your phone when you are carrying or using it in the street
	Leave your phone in an unattended car, on your table, cash counters, wash basins.
	Give to strangers who just make a call as their phone is discharged or there is no balance in the mobile phone.

Buying a Second Hand Mobile
Please follow the checklist below...
	Insist on bill with IMEI written on it.
	If you find a stolen mobile inform Police
	If the IMEI sticker is tampered or erased in the battery slot do not buy the phone

Source : http://haveripolice.blogspot.in/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY

Q1. What is Mobile Number Portability? 
A1. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is the facility for users to switch to a new Mobile Service Provider in the same Licensed Service Area (LSA), while retaining their existing mobile number . Sim card and all services on the mobile connection will change and will be provided by the new Service Provider.

Q2. How can you benefit from MNP?
A2. The main benefit of MNP is freedom of choice and the competition that it generates. Now, you are free to choose a new Mobile Service Provider without having to change to a new number. This means you can avoid the inconvenience of having to notify friends and associates that you have changed your Number.

Q3. What is porting? 
A3. 'Porting' is the act of switching to a new Mobile Service Provider within the same LSA, without changing your mobile number. However, only active mobile numbers can port. Thus, do not terminate your current line before porting.

Q4. Who can port? 
A4. Any eligible Pre-Paid and Post-Paid (GSM / CDMA) mobile users can port. Eligibility conditions for porting are as follows :-

(a) There are no outstanding payments due from the subscriber by way of pending bill or bills, as the case may be, issued as per the normal billing cycle but before the date of application for porting;
(b) The porting request has been made after the expiry of a period of ninety days from the date of activation of a new connection or from last porting;
(c) No request for change of ownership of the mobile number is under process;
(d) The mobile number sought to be ported is not sub-judice;
(e) Porting of the concerned mobile number has been not prohibited by any Court of Law;
(f) Subscriber has applied for porting within LSA ( Licensed Service Area ) ;
(g) The unique porting code mentioned in the porting request matches with the unique porting code allocated by the Donor Operator for the mobile number sought to be ported;
(h) The subscriber has complied with exit clause for the present connection.

Q5. Can I port my number if I am on a pre-paid service? 
A5. Yes, both pre-paid and post-paid customers can request for porting to either prepaid or post-paid plan with the new Mobile Service Provider. Subscriber who simply requires change in Plan from Post paid to pre-paid and vice versa can do so in BSNL without the process of porting. Porting process is involved only when subscriber desires to change his operator.

Q6. Can I port my number if I am on a CDMA service? 
A6. Yes, any CDMA / GSM or 3G customers can request for a port to any technology with the new Mobile Service Provider, provided he meets the eligibility conditions stated in para 4 above.

Q7. What do you need to consider carefully before you port?

(a) Check if you meet the eligibility conditions stated in para 4 above.

(b) If you have any overdue bills or have existing contracts with your current Mobile Service Provider, the current Mobile Service Provider will reject your porting request forwarded by the new Mobile Service Provider. In such a case, you will not get refund of the administrative porting fees. Kindly ensure that you do not have any bills overdue and you fulfil the exit clause with the existing service provider. Contracts still in place with the new Mobile Service Provider

(c) For pre-paid users, you need to know that all existing credit (Talk value and validity) will expire upon porting and not be carried to the new Mobile Service Provider. Therefore, you are encouraged to plan accordingly.

(d) You need to understand that the services, SMS / MMS coverage (i.e. networks to which one can send SMS / MMS), Value Added Services, coverage area (i.e. places where one can log on to the mobile network), call charges and packages offered by the new Mobile Service Provider may differ from your current Mobile Service Provider.

(e) Choose wisely the timing of the change. Are you planning to travel outside the LSA / abroad during the porting process? There may be an impact on roaming if you travel during the porting process.

Q8. How can I port to a new Mobile Service Provider? 
A8. The salient steps involved are as follows :-

(i) You will have to go to the new Mobile Service Provider’s Service Centre or Authorised Dealer to request for porting of your mobile number. Fill in a Service Registration Form and pay the porting fees for processing. (Presently BSNL is not charging any fees for porting into BSNL.)

(ii) The Recipient Operator shall ask the subscriber to send a SMS to Donor Operator to request for UPC (Unique Porting Code) using short code 1900 from the mobile number which is sought to be ported.

(iii) The SMS text for requesting UPC by a subscriber shall be the word ‘PORT’ followed by a space followed by the ten digit mobile number which is to be ported which shall be case insensitive. (i.e. it can be port or Port etc.) (eg PORT XXXXXXXXXX and send it to 1900) 

(iv) Upon receipt of the SMS, the Donor operator shall forthwith send back a reply SMS containing a unique porting code through an automated system. Subscriber will fill the UPC in the Application form for porting. 

(v) In case the subscriber’s CLI does not match with the ten digit mobile number, UPC shall not be allotted but a message shall be generated to inform such subscriber that the CLI does not match with the mobile number. 

(vi) UPC allocated to a subscriber shall be valid for a period of fifteen days from the date of request or such time till the number is ported out, whichever is earlier, for all service areas except Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and North East licensed areas the validity for the UPC shall be for a period of thirty days from the date of request or till such time the number is ported out, which ever is earlier, irrespective of. number of requests the subscriber makes; in case of J&K pre-paid mobile subscriber to get UPC - call 1900 instead of sending SMS. 

(vii) You will be issued a new SIM card by the new service provider. 

(viii) Upon approval of porting request, the new Mobile Service Provider will inform you the date and time of porting. You are required to change your SIM card at the said time. In case of problem you need to contact the new Service Provider.

Q9. How long does it take to port to the new Mobile Service Provider? 
A9. The porting process will take at least seven days in all LSAs except NE, Assam & J&K. in these three LSAs porting will take more time.

Q10.Can I port my number more than once? 
A10. Yes, but you cannot make more than one porting request at a time to different Mobile Service Providers. Also you should fulfil all the eligibility conditions including at least 90 days subscription with your current Mobile Service Provider.

Q11. Can I decide the date and time at which my number is ported? 
A11. No, you cannot dictate when your number should be ported. It is all automated and upon approval of porting request, the new Mobile Service Provider will inform you the tentative date and time of porting.

Q12. Before porting, I have to settle all necessary payments with the current provider. However, there will be a period between the final payment day and the porting day. To which provider do I have to pay for the transactions made during the time gap?
A12. You will have to pay to your previous Mobile Service Provider, and ensure to settle your account with the old service provider. While applying for porting, you need to clear all the bills issued to you till that time. All bills issued subsequent to the porting application also need to be cleared by their due date failing which, the connection is liable to be disconnected by the new service provider.

Q13. How much would it cost me to port to a new mobile service provider? 
A13. BSNL is not charging any fee from subscriber for mobile number portability. However cost of SIM card will be charged as per plan opted by subscriber.

Q14. Can I cancel my port request after applying for porting? Will I get a refund? 
A14. Yes, You may cancel your port request with your new Mobile Service Provider within 24 hours of making the port request.

Q15. Do I get a new SIM card when I change my Mobile Service Provider? 
A15. Yes, the new Mobile Service Provider will give you a new SIM card.

Q16. Do I need to cancel my existing services before I port to a new Mobile Service Provider? 
A16. No, you do not have to cancel your existing services. Your existing services with the current Mobile Service Provider will automatically be terminated once you have successfully ported to the new Mobile Service Provider.

Q17. Will I still enjoy the same Services during the porting process? 
A17. Yes, you will still enjoy the same Services, except for International Roaming Services, which your current Mobile Service Provider may suspend upon your porting request.

Q18. After porting, will I enjoy the same services from the new Mobile Service Provider? 
A18. No, you can only port your number and not services.. You must re-register for all the value-added services (VAS) that you want to subscribe to with the new Mobile Service Provider. You need to know that the new Mobile Service Provider is not obligated to provide identical services.

Q19. What should I do, if I have taken a connection under Handset bundling scheme? 
A19. You have 2 options:

Option 1 : To continue with your existing Mobile Service Provider until your contract expires, then only request for port.

Option 2 : Cancel your existing contract after complying with the exit clause in the contract for its premature termination and then apply for porting.

Q20. Can my request be rejected by my current Mobile Service Provider? 
A20. Yes, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for porting.

Visit website www.bsnl.co.in for more information.

Customer guide for availing the facility of Mobile Number Portability

TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA 

Customer guide for availing the facility of Mobile Number Portability 

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is the facility for users to switch to any mobile operator in the same Licensed Service Area (LSA), while retaining their existing mobile number . Sim card and all services on the mobile connection will change and will be provided by the new operator. 

Request for porting

I. Contact the new mobile service provider to whom you want to port your  mobile number.
II. Obtain Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) & Porting Form.
III. Read the eligibility, probable reasons for porting rejection and other conditions carefully.
IV. If eligible, fill up the CAF and Porting Form. For filling up of porting form you need a ‘Unique Porting Code’ (UPC)

V. To obtain UPC send SMS from the mobile number you want to port to the number ‘1900’ with text ‘PORT’ followed by space followed by your 10 digit mobile number you want to port. [ As pre-paid SMS is not permitted, in Jammu & Kashmir the subscriber has to dial ‘1900’ to get an UPC, the operator at ‘1900’ provide the UPC after verifying subscriber number with CLI. ]
VI. It may be noted that you will receive an auto generated 8 digits UPC from the Donor operator. The first two characters of the UPC consists of ‘Alphabets’ and remaining 6 digits will be numerical characters except
zero.
VII. Submit the duly filled Porting Form and CAF along with requisite documentary proof to the mobile service provider.
VIII. If you are a post paid subscriber, submit a paid copy of the last bill issued along with Porting Form and CAF.
IX. Obtain new SIM card from the new service provider
X. Service provider may charge porting charge maximum upto j 19/-

You can withdraw your porting request within 24 hrs of applying. However, the porting charge is non-refundable. 

Activation of ported number:

XI. Your new mobile service provider will intimate you the date & time of porting on your mobile phone.
XII. Change over takes place on the 7th working day (15th working day in  case of Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and North East service areas).
XIII. The service disruption time shall be around 2 hrs during night time of the date/time of porting.
XIV. Replace the old SIM with the new SIM provided by your new mobile service provider after the specified date and time.

Eligibility and Other Conditions

You are allowed to move to another mobile service provider only after 90 days of the date of activation of your mobile connection or from the date of last porting of your mobile number, which ever is applicable. You are allowed to change mobile service provider within the same service area only. 

If you are a postpaid subscriber, please ensure that you have paid all the dues as per your last bill (You will have to sign an undertaking in the Porting Form also).

If you are a Pre-paid subscriber, please note that the balance amount of talk time, if any, at the time of porting will lapse.

Detailed regulations are accessible in TRAI website www.trai.gov.in

Ways To Prevent SIM Card Misuse

Yesterday when I went to a BSNL Regional Office for replacement of a defective SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) I came across an incident where a Customer is complaining to block his SIM as a thief who has stolen his 20 thousand Rupees phone left away his phone and took away only the SIM with him.

Now the customer is worried what the misshapen might happen. Though the complaint has been taken and recorded I asked the CC if really the SIM will be blocked?

The answer is “They get hundreds of SIM lost cases daily and if they keep on blocking the SIMs it wastes them a lot of time and resources also some mischief people might falsely complain and try to block other people numbers incase if they know their details. So, we don’t usually”.

Imagine what will be the condition of the customer who lost his SIM, phone or both and the same SIM is found to be used in a Bomb blast, harassing a girl/boy or any illegal act? Who would the police suspect or responsible for this?

Although the police, SIM Vendors and the Telecom Companies are trying their part we want our TT readers never to face such problems and this Post is dedicated to every mobile user who is reading and we strongly encourage our readers to spread the word till every Indian Mobile user locks their SIM cards and keep safe.

To start off we need to know a few technical terms:

1. PIN or PIN1 (Both are same, shows up depending on your mobile -Personal Identification Number)

2. PIN2

3. PUK/PUK2 or PUC (Both are same)-PIN Unblocking Key/Code for PIN/PIN2

4. SIM Number – The SIM card’s Number comprising of 19 Digits or even Letters sometimes is your unique SIM number printed on backside of SIM card often required to give information for PUK enquiry/Theft/lost damaged purposes.

The Personal Unblocking Key (PUK/PUK2) code is an eight digit code specific to your SIM card (Not Mobile Number) and is required when the PIN/PIN2 code is entered incorrectly three times on your mobile.

You’re given 10 attempts to enter the PUK code once you finish your 10 attempts after the 3 PIN attempts your SIM card will be blocked permanently and become useless .You can no way use it thereafter.

A PIN is used to just lock/Unlock the SIM card whenever you switch on/off your device or change your Mobile, So that you can prevent unauthorized use of your Number. Only the person who knows the PIN number of your SIM can only unlock and use it.

So, we encourage all our readers to enable PIN Code request on feature in your devices so that you can stay peaceful whenever you lost your phone/SIM.

The default* PIN number for most of the operators will be 0000 or 1234.You can find the PIN code request feature in the device security settings. You need to change the default PIN numbers to your choice so that no one can unlock the SIM.

But most importantly, when changing your PIN codes make sure you remember because you are the one who changed it and expect no help from operators. They can only provide you with a PUK code in such cases as you changed its default Code.

If  you on/off your device regularly you might feel the pain in entering the PIN but it’s better to be on safe side before anything bad happens. I also warn you to inform about this Security feature if activated and in case if you are giving your mobile to your friends or relatives for temporary use so you can prevent their PIN wrong attempts.

Coming to PIN2 this is a feature which even the Customer care people of the Telecom Companies are not aware of. Using PIN2 you can restrict the Numbers to which you can make calls i.e. enabling FIXED DIALING. So that you can even give children a phone without being worried with whom they are talking by only enabling parent’s numbers in the FIXED DIALING option.

Unfortunately the Telecom Companies are not encouraging this wonderful feature. Don’t know if they are really not aware of or they don’t want users to use it.

Whenever I called and asked the CC representatives about PIN2 or PUK2 they say “Sorry Sir, there is No feature called PIN2 or PUK2 we have and can only provide PIN or PUK number for your simcard.”

As if I am a dumb person they also informed me that PIN2 or PUK2 is something related to Mobile Device Manufacturer and not to Telecom Operator and oh, thanks to their advice.

Now TT Readers I strongly say PIN/PIN2/PUK/PUK2 are all related to a sim card and only to Network Operator.

And oh I’m happy with my BSNL and AIRTEL (Not tried to risk with the rest as I already blocked my TD SIM PIN2) Numbers* as they have their PIN1and PIN2 default codes same so that I can use FIXED DIALING and at the same time lock my SIM when lost.

*Note: Dear Readers you SIM card (BSNL/AIRTEL) might not have the same PIN/PIN2 codes as I have mentioned my experience and try it at your own risk TelecomTalk will not take any responsibility for your wrong doing .

Check default PIN numbers with your operator.

Luckily even if your PIN2 blocks and you have not entered PUK2 nothing happens to your SIM services, you can still enjoy services on your SIM. The only disadvantage is you will not be able to use Fixed Dialing feature unless PUK2 is entered.

I hope at least now after reading this article Telecom Operators provide PUK/PIN2/PUK2 codes in their Self-care portals or services.

We now would like to know if anyone has tried the PIN/PIN2 features and what are your personal experiences do share your views via comments ?

Courtesy : http://telecomtalk.info/ & http://sapost.blogspot.in/

How to safeguard your Bank ATM card from fraudsters?

Like the news on street-side robbery, house-breaking, bank robbery etc we are used to read in the news papers few years ago, nowadays we come across lot of news on debit card (also popularly called as ATM card) frauds.

Innocent people, especially salaried class are victims in these frauds as they expose their debit cards more in the ATM to take out their salary credited in the bank.

We provide here a news published in Hindu recently on one kind of these ATM Card fraud in which fraudsters were held by police in Chennai.

A gang that robbed 64 persons in chennai of over Rs.30 lakh last month after making fake bank cards has been busted by police.

The gang members used a slim skimmer device that they placed inside the card slots of four ATMs, in different locations, to obtain details of the victim's card details, including the PIN.

Police launched investigations after Commissioner of Police receivedcomplaints from 64 persons last month stating that someone had drawn large sums of money from their bank accounts.

When the victims made enquiries with their banks, the officials told them that the money had been drawn using ATM cards.

It was found that the money was drawn from four ATMs – in West Mambalam, Kilpauk, Kotturpuram and Saidapet.

“The gang opted for the four ATMs because these facilities had neither a security guard nor a CCTV camera. We gathered information about the movement of people who visited the kiosks and details of calls made and received on mobile phones of those who came to the ATMs. During the cell phone trace, our team zeroed in on a mobile phone number, which was used at all the four ATMs,” the police said.

Fraudsters confessed to having inserted film-thin skimmer devices made in China, worth $ 2,000 each in the card slots of the four ATMs. The devices with a two-day battery life are capable of capturing card details, including the PIN, through an advanced sensor panel when a customer uses the card issued by the bank. They replaced the skimmer devices every two days and used the information to make fake cards.

Advanced skimmer devices with sensors can detect the movement of fingers on the numeric pad on the ATM.

Earlier, a pinhole camera on the skimmer placed inside the card slot was used by culprits to read the PIN number. Now the fraudsters have gone one step ahead.

The police have advised ATM users to inspect card slots for any suspicious objects and change PIN numbers of their bank cards at frequent intervals.

We also provide a slide show below issued in the interest of people by Common Wealth Bank.

This slide-show shows the possible area where skimmer device is installed by fraudsters in the ATM.

·         Though it may not be fully possible all the time by a layman to identify the illegal installation of a skimmer device in the ATM, a cautious look at the card insertion area of ATM may throw some light.

·         Even if you just suspect that the ATM is tampered with, you can go to a nearby ATM where security people are available all the time.

·         You can also avoid loss of your debit card information by frequently changing your ATM password.

·         Safest of all of these precautionary measure is not to expose your debit card linked to your main account in which you receive your salary and other payments in the ATM unless it's an emergency. Then how can we withdraw amount for our day to day expenses?  Here we have an easy solution.

·         If you have internet banking facility for your main account, then you can easily safeguard your money. You have to open another account in another bank with ATM card facility and transfer small portion of amount to this alternative account from the main account usinginternet banking. Now the ATM card of the alternative bank account can be exposed in the ATM, while you never take outside the ATM card of the main account unless it's an emergency. Whenever, the alternative bank account balance is nil you can use internet banking within no time to transfer amount to the alternative account from the main account.

Courtesy : http://www.gconnect.in/

TRAI Raises SMS Limit To 200 SMS Per Day Per SIM

Now, there seems to be good news for all the SMS fans or Heavy SMS Users! Indian Telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today increased the limit of One hundred SMS (100 SMS) per day per SIM to Two hundred SMS (200 SMS) per day per SIM for prepaid users.

TRAI also doubles the SMS limits/caps for Postpaid mobile service users from 3000 SMS per month to 6000 SMS per month per SIM.

TRAI said that it has received representations from some of the service providers and consumers to increase the limit of 100 SMS per day per SIM. The Authority has considered these representations and decided to increase the limit of one hundred SMS per day per SIM to two hundred SMS per day per SIM.The new SMS cap of 200 SMSes per SIM per day for Prepaid and 6000 SMSes per SIM per month on Postpaid will be effective from today i.e. 1st November 2011.

On 27th September, TRAI directs all Access Providers (GSM and CDMA Mobile service operators) to sets a cap of 100 SMSs per day per users as earlier we shared on TelecomTalk.

New SMS Limits / Cap for Prepaid and Postpaid Subscribers :

Prepaid : 200 SMS Per Day Per SIM (existing 100 SMS/Day)

Postpaid : 6000 SMS Per Month Per SIM (existing 3000 SMS/Month)

Courtesy : http://telecomtalk.info/