What will change…After a delay of over a year, the much-awaited mobile number portability, or MNP, will start rolling out across the country from January 20, 2011. MNP will enable all postpaid subscribers to switch their service provider without changing their mobile number, at a nominal fee. It was launched in the Haryana circle in November 2010, and the service is now being implemented in two phases across all 22 circles. The Department of Telecom had shortlisted two global players - Syniverse Technologies and MITS - for the technology support to operators in April 2009.
… its implications…MNP should bring about better service. A subscriber will be able to switch operator even if one uses GSM technology and the other CDMA. But, in this case, the subscriber will have to buy a new handset. The MNP facility will be available only to those users who have been with their present operators for over 90 days. Also, users are not permitted to switch operators and retain the same number between two circles. MNP is expected to intensify competition among operators for the 35 million post-paid subscribers, who account for one-third of their revenues but add up to less than 10 per cent of the total user base. Says Kedar Sohoni, President, Informate Mobile Intelligence, a Mumbai-based research agency: "Disgruntled post-paid subscribers who are keen on retaining their numbers would surely opt for MNP."
… and global precedentsMNP has been successful in the US, Australia, Malaysia, Finland, and Hong Kong because of speedy porting (changing operators) and regulatory support. In the US, where wireless number portability was introduced in 2003, consumers have largely gained as operators offered better deals, network improvements and better service to retain customers. MNP did not succeed in the UK because of resistance from local operators, who imposed long porting times. This allowed them to retain subscribers with attractive price plans. In India, TRAI mandates porting within seven working days.
