3-month delay in number portability

The implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) is likely to be delayed by three to six months due to lack of infrastructure.

In November last year, Communications Minister A Raja had announced the implementation of MNP, which permits users to change the operator without giving up their existing mobile number, by the fourth quarter of 2008.

"The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has to form a consortium of operators, which, in turn, has to set up a central database of operators and their subscribers.

"This is a long-drawn process, beginning with the ministry calling for a request for quotation," an official in the government pointed out.

To roll out MNP by the end of the year, DoT had to call for a Request for Quotations (RFQ), a standard business process to invite suppliers for specific products and services, at least by the end of February.

However, the government is still working on the draft for an RFQ which will then be discussed and finalised. After that, the selection of porting technology and solutions will be done, delaying the process further.

For rolling out MNP, DoT has to formulate the rules and regulations which have to be approved by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Work on this is also delayed, even though both the licencor and the regulator had commenced work earlier, they said.

In November 2007, the telecom ministry decided to introduce MNP in various stages, beginning with metros. Implementation of MNP in 'A' circles like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu was to be taken up from April 2008.