Ready for MNP rollout, but only within circles: GSM telcos

GSM operators today said they will be able to provide Mobile Number Portability (MNP) within circles (intra-circle) by the end of November nationwide, but it may take some time to roll out the service between two circles.

MNP, which allows subscribers to change operators while retaining the same number, will be available to subscribers in Haryana on a commercial basis from November 25.

However, if a subscriber moves from one circle to another -- for example, from Haryana to Tamil Nadu -- roll-out of the facility may take little longer.

"All the intra-circles will be competed by November 30. Inter-circle for Haryana will also be completed. So the next phase is inter-circle, that is circle-to-circle. That will commence on December 1," COAI Director General Rajan S Mathews told PTI.

GSM body Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) today met the technical team of the telecom department to discuss the matter.

Last month, Telecom Minister A Raja had said that MNP would kick off from November 1, starting with Haryana.

Some experts said the introduction of MNP services could be a game-changer in the telecom sector.

With nearly 700 telecom subscribers in the country, even a small percentage of users opting for a change in service providers could dent large operators' profitability.

While no study is available on how many subscribers are looking for a change in service provider, telecom analysts feel it may not be more than 10 per cent at any given time.