With the launch of nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) on 3 July, mobile users can retain their numbers despite changing states across the country, without incurring any roaming charges. Customers can send a message to 1900 seeking change to another service provider and have to pay Rs 19 for the move.
Here is all you need to know about the rolling out of nationwide mobile number portability:
1. The process for full MNP is the same as intra-city mobile number portability. Currently, you have to pay roaming charges if you use your number outside your home city, except for BSNL. Also, a person is billed on STD rates for the calls. Full MNP will help you do away with these charges. So basically, nationwide MNP service will allow mobile phone users to use their current number while relocating from one telecom circle to another and even choose a telco of their choice without changing their numbers.
2. All operators, including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and Reliance Communications, as also state-run MTNL and BSNL, have announced they would be rolling out the full MNP from today to enable customers to retain their mobile numbers even if they shift base to a new place. Among other private players, Uninor, Sistema Shyam Teleservices and Videocon also said they will roll out the service to meet the July 3 deadline fixed by the government.
Reuters
3. Airtel says its customers can also enjoy special offers like processing requests to port within Airtel's network within 24 hours and free incoming on roaming until the portability request is processed.The users can also avail the option of transferring their balance in pre-paid or carrying forward their unbilled/billed amount in the case of postpaid while porting their number to the new city, it added.
4. Vodafone said MNP is applicable to all pre-paid and post-paid customers. Customers looking for the convenience of retaining their existing number at the new location can avail the benefits of national MNP service. Vodafone India chief commercial officer Vivek Mathur said,
"Vodafone has benefited from the intra-circle MNP rolled out in 2011 and we look forward to a similar response this time."
5. Idea said that it has enabled its network to roll out MNP services for mobile users across the country. "Idea has been the MNP leader with over 14 million net gain of customers so far through intra circle MNP services. The company is now ready to enable national MNP by allowing its own users to retain their numbers even if they move out of a circle and also take on new customers who wish to switch to Idea network from their current service provider," Idea said.
6. Reliance Communications also said it is ready to roll out MNP nationally from July 3 onwards. It also plans to offer "attractive and aggressive plans" to retain customers.
7. In readiness for national MNP launch, Tata Docomo said it has already ramped-up its subscriber segmentation strategy over the last couple of months’ aligned to delivering an enhanced customer experience. Gurinder Singh Sandhu, Head Marketing, Tata Teleservices, Limited said:
“There will be no acquisition fee for porting from Tata Docomo to Tata Docomo and customers can enjoy free incoming on roaming on Tata network until the portability request is processed. To fast track the port-in process customers can walk into any of our several exclusive stores across the country. Customers can also easily walk into any of Tata Docomo exclusive stores across its circles and place their request for port- in."
8. As of April 30 this year, there were 157.01 million requests for MNP, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Earlier, nationwide MNP was to be implemented from May 3 but the government extended the deadline by two months, as operators were yet to test the new software. Telecomm operators were also asked to allow their subscribers to dial any mobile numbers within the same circle as well as inter circle without any kind of prefix. Certain changes of hardware as well as software needed to be out into place so that mobile number portability could be facilitated. Calls can also be made using the prefix ‘0’ and/or ‘+91’.
9. Availing MNP: All you have to do is visit any telecom operator’s store or call its toll-free number and follow the instructions or generate an 8-digit UPC code by sending an SMS, ‘Port (your mobile no)’ to 1900, fill the form and give relevant documents. Then choose a rate plan.
