Nationwide rollout from Jan 20

After missing three deadlines, the government today finally introduced mobile number portability — that will allow subscribers to switch operators without changing their existing cellphone numbers — in Haryana.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal also announced the simultaneous launch of mobile number portability (MNP) across the country from January 20.

A customer will have to pay a maximum of Rs 19 to the new operator to change network. The new operator would have the option to waive the fee or reduce it. But the facility comes with a rider — the customer cannot migrate to another operator before another three months.

The network migration process will take four days. The subscriber will face a blackout of one-two hours during the switching of networks.

At present, there are eight mobile operators in Haryana — Airtel, Idea Cellular, BSNL, Aircel, Loop, Vodafone, Etisalat and Videocon. For now, MNP would be allowed only in these circles.

The networks in the remaining 21 licensed service areas have started the migration process to the MNP platform. For orderly technical migration of complex interconnected networks, each of the remaining service areas will be migrated one by one on alternate days. This would enable simultaneous validation of technical parameters and removal of any problems arising from migration activity to ensure successful and smooth migration of a service area.

The first deadline of MNP was fixed on December 31, 2009, in metros and category-A circles, while the rest of the country was slated to have the service by April 1, 2010.

The reasons for the delay have been similar all throughout; operators were not ready as they were still testing their networks. The second reason was uncertainty over the fate of Telcordia’s – one of the two companies that was given the mandate to implement MNP – FIPB clearance which had got stuck because of security issues.

Sibal, while launching the service, maintained that the choice-based service would initiate healthy competition among service providers, which will benefit the common man.

A post-paid customer has to clear all dues with the existing player to make the switchover. In case of a pre-paid subscriber, the balance will not be carried forward.

Service providers, many of whom were pushing for the launch to be postponed from December to January, welcomed the move. Sanjeev Aga, Vice Chairperson COAI, said MNP will provide unprecedented freedom of choice, maximise customer satisfaction and allow service providers to showcase their brand value.

COAI director general Rajan S Mathews said MNP will remove the last major obstacle to the freedom of choice by consumers and would promote fair and effective competition in the market.

India has around 700 million mobile subscribers, with 10-12 operators in each circle.