New Delhi : From 3rd May, you can retain your trusted mobile number even when you shift cities. The government has finally cleared the hurdles for rolling out national Mobile Number Portability — a measure that will allow you to keep your number even while moving base — say from Delhi to Mumbai or Chennai to Kolkata.
Telecom regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has approved amendments to the MNP Regulations, 2009, in order to give a go-ahead to the much-awaited measure, giving a cheer to subscribers. The new measure comes just after TRAI initiated steps aimed at reducing mobile tariffs.
The department of telecom had on November 3 issued amendments to the MNP licence agreement stating that it has to be implemented across the country within a period of six months from the date of amendment of the licences.
“Accordingly, the authority has made the sixth amendment to the MNP regulations effective from May 3 this year,” TRAI said.
Intra-circle number portability, that allows you retain your number within the same telecom circle, had already been launched across the country from January 20, 2011.
TRAI said that in case a post-paid subscriber who has ported his number defaults in the payment of his previous bill, the old operator has to raise it within 30 days from the due date. The new operator will raise this bill on the subscriber and if the payment is not made within a period of 15 days, the outgoing will be de-barred. In case the payment is not made further over the next 15 days, the number will be permanently disconnected, TRAI said.
National MNP will help people avoid unnecessary expenses when shifting cities. Currently, you have to pay roaming charges if you use your number outside your home city. Also, you will be billed on STD rates for the calls. A full MNP will help you do away with these charges as your new city becomes your home base without any change in the phone number.
India has 22 circles or telecom zones. Syniverse Technologies and MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions provide MNP service to all carriers in the present set-up.
