Trai to impose fine on operators for flouting MNP norms

Trai had received complaints that some operators refused porting requests from subscribers

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today said it will levy penalty ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 on mobile phone operators for flouting mobile number portability (MNP) regulations.

MNP is a service that allows users to switch operators while retaining their mobile numbers, was the highest in the month on July. It was implemented across the country last January while the pilot launch of the service took place in Haryana November 25, 2010.

According to officials, Trai had been receiving a number of complaints from subscribers that their porting requests have been rejected by operators.

"In order to ensure compliance of  MNP regulations by access providers, the authority has decided to amend the regulations to incorporate the provisions for levying financial disincentives where contravention is established," the regulator said in its fourth amendment to the Telecommunications Mobile Number Portability Regulations 2009.

In cases where deviation is noticed by TRAI, in the specified timelines by a service provider, a financial disincentive of Rs 5,000 will be levied for each contravention. In cases where contravention is established in rejection of porting request by a service provider, a financial disincentive of an amount of Rs 10,000 will be levied for each rejection, it added.

These regulations will come into effect after 60 days so that service providers streamline their current processes in conformity with the MNP regulations.

According to Trai, till July, 2012, almost 60 million customers have opted for MNP so far across the country.

To opt for MNP, a customer has to pay a maximum of Rs 19 to the new operator for 'porting' the number and remain with the new operator for at least three months.

The existing provider sends a unique porting code. An application then has to be filed with the new service provider mentioning the code for transferring the connection. India currently has almost 914 million mobile phone subscribers.