1. What is MNP or Mobile Number Portability?
MNP is the abbreviation used for Mobile Number Portability. Mobile NumberPortability as mentioned above, once implemented, will allow users to change their mobile carriers (Vodafone, Airtel, Idea, Reliance, Tata DoCoMo, Uninor etc… are few of the mobile carriers who operate in India) without changing their phone number. Without MNP, if a user changes his / her mobile carrier, he / she is given a new SIM which also has a new number and thus his / her phone number changes, the minute he / she uses the new SIM (when MNP is not used). With MNP, you will be switch from GSM to CDMA or vice versa without getting your number changed.
2. Steps to Change Mobile Service Provider with MNP
Once MNP gets rolled out in your circle (i.e. telecom term for your residential area), then you need to follow the steps mentioned below
Step 1 – Send an SMS to 1900 with the message PORT . represents an empty space, which can be generated by pressing space bar key on your mobile phone.
For example, if your mobile phone number is 9999999999 then you need to type PORT 9999999999.
Step 2 – Once you send the message as described in Step1, you will receive a porting code. Porting code is a 8 digit unique code associated with your number.
Step 3 – Next, you must visit the service provider to which you wish to subscribe with the porting code you obtained in Step 2. Here you will be required to complete the application process (which will include filling up a specific form for MNP).
Step 4 – With the completion of Step 3, work from your end is completed. After this, the service providers (current and new) will complete the back-end work. You will then receive an SMS which mention the date and time of porting from your new service provider. As per Department of Telecommunication paper, the operators are required to finish this process in Seven days.
Step 5 – Once step 4 is completed, on the specific date and time mentioned by the provider, insert the new SIM card and your phone will now work on the same phone number, but with new carrier.
3. How often can I change my Mobile Service Provider?
MNP requires you to be with the new service provider for at least 90 days.
The new service provider can charge a maximum of Rs. 19 from the subscriber as MNP fees. This has been fixed by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India).
5. is there a down-time; I need to be aware of?
On the day when porting actually happens for your number, a down time of 2 hours should be accounted.
6. I want to switch to a new Mobile service provider, but my current service provider is denying me porting rights. Why?
Your request for switching to a new service provider, while keeping your phone number same, through MNP can be denied by your current provider if
i. You have outstanding dues with your providers.
ii. If your contract forbids you from moving out of the network.
iii. You haven’t been with the new provider 90 days.
iv. Your request is not within the same area. For example, you live in Mumbai, but applying for provider change in Delhi.
v. Legal restrictions on your number from court or government etc.
vi. Your number is going through an ownership change or address change. In such a situation, you need to get through with the process before applying for service provider change through MNP.
Mobile number Portability in India, got delayed multiple times
Many analysts believe that Mobile Number Portability will lead to substantial reduction of ARPU’s (Average Revenue per User) for major telcos, however there is also another breed which believes that MNP won’t lead to price war, rather better customer support, network infrastructure, lesser call drops etc. Once completely rolled out MNP will cover 22 circles across India with almost 10 providers in each circle.
