MNP to be launched by May first week: Raja

Communication Minister A Raja today said the mobile number portability (MNP), which would allow users to switch service providers without having to change their phone numbers, would be launched in the first week of May.

In the first leg, it would be launched in Chennai and Bangalore, said Raja without commenting on the roll out thereafter in other parts of the country.

"You can retain your number whatever be the company in which you are having service," he said.

But Department of Telecom officials later said it is expected to be launched in other places soon after reviewing the "experience" in the these two cities.

Speaking at the launch of 3G services in Karnataka circle by BSNL, he said the government had taken a policy decision to launch MNP by this March, but it was not able to get security clearance for the imported devices.

"Now the problem is going to be solved. By May first week, number portability will be available, will be launched in Chennai and Bangalore...First time," he said.

Raja said the teledensity in the country has gone up from 7.4 per cent in 2004 to 40 per cent in December last year. In December 2009 alone, a record 19 million new phone connections were added. The country had 580 million telephone connections as of December last year.

He said tariff for "One India" telephone call would come down to 25 paise, without giving any timeframe for it. Tariff of a telephone call within a state would come down to 10 paise in the next three to four months.