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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday launched nationwide mobile number portability (MNP), a move that will allow users to switch operators without losing their phone numbers.
Customers will have to pay a maximum of Rs 19 to an operator to change their network and the new operator has the option to either waive the fee or reduce it. However, a consumer would be required to continue with an operator for a minimum period of three months in order to avail the MNP service.
Mobile number portability will compel the operators to improve the quality of their mobile services, as they would not like to lose their customers to rivals.
MNP services were first launched in Haryana in November last year. Nevertheless, companies like Idea Cellular and Vodafone started marketing the service to subscribers in other parts of the country even before the nationwide roll-out took place.
Idea Cellular, which started the 'No idea? Get Idea' campaign to woo subscribers of rival telcos, has also set up a toll-free line to assist customers looking to switch operators.
More operators are expected to undertake similar activities to maintain their user base, with competition likely to heat up following the nationwide roll-out of MNP services as telcos look to poach their rivals' subscribers.
To avail of the service, a customer will have to pay a maximum of Rs.19 to the new operator for 'porting' the numbers. The customer then has to remain with the new operator for at least three months.
The customer has to send an SMS from the existing phone to 1900. Based on this, a unique porting code will be sent by existing provider. The customer has to file an application then with the new service provider mentioning the code for transferring the connection.
How to switch
To switch operators, Type PORT, leave a space, type your mobile number and text it to 1900. You will receive a reply from 1901 with a unique code and date.
You then have to submit your identity proof, address proof, and photograph with the code to the service provider you want, by the date given to you.
In the next seven days, the master clearing house will check if you have any outstanding dues and then process your request. Your new service will then start on your old number.
Restrictions include a minimum stay of three months and the subscriber can't change the circle. Portability began in November 2010 in Haryana.
Officials said the maximum waiting period fixed for porting is seven working days. But the number will remain out of service for just two hours.
The technology is widely prevalent in most parts of Europe and North America, as also in countries like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.
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Mobile number portability will compel the operators to improve the quality of their mobile services, as they would not like to lose their customers to rivals.
MNP services were first launched in Haryana in November last year. Nevertheless, companies like Idea Cellular and Vodafone started marketing the service to subscribers in other parts of the country even before the nationwide roll-out took place.
Idea Cellular, which started the 'No idea? Get Idea' campaign to woo subscribers of rival telcos, has also set up a toll-free line to assist customers looking to switch operators.
More operators are expected to undertake similar activities to maintain their user base, with competition likely to heat up following the nationwide roll-out of MNP services as telcos look to poach their rivals' subscribers.
To avail of the service, a customer will have to pay a maximum of Rs.19 to the new operator for 'porting' the numbers. The customer then has to remain with the new operator for at least three months.
The customer has to send an SMS from the existing phone to 1900. Based on this, a unique porting code will be sent by existing provider. The customer has to file an application then with the new service provider mentioning the code for transferring the connection.
How to switch
To switch operators, Type PORT, leave a space, type your mobile number and text it to 1900. You will receive a reply from 1901 with a unique code and date.
You then have to submit your identity proof, address proof, and photograph with the code to the service provider you want, by the date given to you.
In the next seven days, the master clearing house will check if you have any outstanding dues and then process your request. Your new service will then start on your old number.
Restrictions include a minimum stay of three months and the subscriber can't change the circle. Portability began in November 2010 in Haryana.
Officials said the maximum waiting period fixed for porting is seven working days. But the number will remain out of service for just two hours.
The technology is widely prevalent in most parts of Europe and North America, as also in countries like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.
Business Forum | Christian Forum | Coupon Forum | Discussion Forum | Gamers Forum
Legal Forum | Politics Forum | Sports Forum | Teen Forum | Webmaster Forum