Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in INDIA
Just last week ony I have changed my mobile number (ie., I have moved from BSNL to Airtel) I have used BSNL for a long time. Since I don't want to continue with BSNL, I shifted to AIRTEL, so my mobile number have changed from 94433 76694 to 99940 49398. Not to miss few important calls, Im holding the old number for a month. But this issue will be over very soon, since Telephone Regularity Authority of India (TRAI) have come up with the idea of implementing Mobile Number Portability(MNP), moving to any Operator, but retaining the same number. Also, they have ordered that this must be implemented within one year down the line, and from April 1st 2007 eveyone mobile user must be able to port the number.
Actually MNP is already there in countries like US, UK, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore etc., Mobile Number Portability is a very big advantage to the customers(subscribers) as well as to the operators. I have a uncle in Coimbatore, basically a tech entrepreneur, who is having a mobile number for the past 9 years. Im sure, he wants to change the operator(since that is the worst rated in Tamilnadu Circle), but he don't have the choice of retaining the number. So, he still maintains it. Likewise we can see many people we have this kind of issue. So, if this MNP is implemented, then we can freely move to any operator. Also, TRAI have said, the changing (Porting) of number must not take more than three days.
Technology behind this is maintaining a database of the numbers by the Operators, as available in other countries.
So, operators with good & cheap service & excellent customer support will be benefited more!!
For more details : [Link]