In a bid to intensify the healthy competition in the world’s fastest growing telecom market with the improved QoS at lower call charges, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today fixed Rs.19 for the Mobile Number Portability Per Port Transaction Charge. The Indian telecom regulator also announced Dipping Charges for the upcoming Mobile Number Portability.
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows the Mobile service subscribers to retain their existing mobile number when they move from one Service Provider to another Service Provider with in a same licensed service area. This move is irrespective of the mobile technology or from one cellular mobile technology to another of the same access provider, in a licensed service area. In other words, the Mobile Service Subscriber can switch from CDMA to GSM as well as GSM to CDMA.The facility of retention of existing mobile number despite moving to a new telecom/Mobile service provider helps in increasing competition between the service providers and acts as a catalyst for the service providers to improve their quality of service.
According to the TRAI the ‘Per Port Transaction charge’ means the charge payable by the Recipient Operator (the operator, where the subscriber is willing to port his number), to the Mobile Number Portability Service Provider for processing the porting request of a mobile number. The ‘Dipping charge’ means the charge payable by an Access Provider or an International Long Distance Operator, to the Mobile Number Portability Service provider for dipping of each message;
MNP charges Paid By the Subscribers:-
The Per Port Transaction charge shall be Rs.19 only and The Dipping charge is left to mutual negotiation between the telecom service providers and the respective MNP service providers. TRAI also cleared that the Porting charge amount to be paid by the subscriber shall not be more than the per port transaction charge Rs 19. The operators are free to charge any amount less than or equal to this charge.
These charges shall come into force on the 31st day of December, 2009.
1234 October 23, 2010 at 12:07 pm
yes
jai singh October 23, 2010 at 10:55 am
i have tataindicom post paid connection. now iwant to shift to vodafone with same mobile no can u suggest how i can do that
Sandeep August 13, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Yes now i can change from rilance to tata docomo
rajiev May 8, 2010 at 9:01 am
@ashok
@Vivek
wait for 30th june.for next announcement
Vivek May 8, 2010 at 6:32 am
@ Sanjay Bafna
Sir, let us know the progress of MNP implementation.
ashok January 5, 2010 at 11:13 am
hi iam using tata indicom cdma mobile . as per trai form 31 dec 09 onwards we can shift to another service provider with same mobile no, iwant to shift to airtel with same mobile no can u suggest how i can do that
d.logaraj January 1, 2010 at 8:02 pm
i want change Vodafone network to reliance network with out change previous cell number
Dayanidhi Marna December 19, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Today all private operators and state-run telecom firms – BSNL and MTNL – during the meet with DOT said that while equipment for MNP was already in place, they can be tested and commission only by March next year.
ABC December 7, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Don’t Try Reliance..Reliance Covering Market by announcing low tariff scheme.after that They changes in Tariff. ike R2R free Scheme in mobile for their prepaid Customer.
99 Scheme 0.15 Paisa (withdrawn)like many more……
Babu December 2, 2009 at 6:22 am
Can anyone suggest me a good mobile service provider in Chennai & Tamil Nadu, who provides a better service, coverage and charges correctly.
Babu December 2, 2009 at 6:19 am
@Krishna
Do not think of Aircel. Aircel may give more trouble than idea (it is my experience and it is left you to choose).
Babu December 2, 2009 at 6:10 am
Dear Friends,
Excellent announcement by TRAI. I salute all the staffs and members responsible for this announcement.
I and staff members having about 20 CUG connections are suffering from the worst mobile service provided by my mobile operator. The Mobile Operation never cares for my mails sent requesting for better service and coverage but keeps advertising to the public to opt for their service. I was highly feed up by service provided by my mobile operator. I was forcefully keeping my and my staffs 20+ connections to avoid frequent change of our mobile numbers and to keep our business, family and friends circle alive.
Crores of Thanks to TRAI. Now i can retain my Mobile Number by shifting to other better mobile service provider.
I hope Lakhs of fellow members will be benefited by this announcement.
abc December 1, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Reliance “Chor Company” ..
Don’t trust
wrongly charges…
much better Idea
abc December 1, 2009 at 11:07 pm
hey
VIRAJ November 27, 2009 at 10:32 pm
@vinay
sahi bola… i agree…101%
rahul November 23, 2009 at 2:53 pm
MNP… maximum people will shift to reliance gsm or docomo… airtel and Vodadone will the biggest losers.
Avishek November 22, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Sorry for offtopic comment…….
From today I noticed that I am not able call any MTS RoB no. from my Airtel RoB connection…I try from 4-5 Airtel no.s,but with every Airtel no. …they were not able to connect with any MTS no…..But from MTS I am able to connect Airtel no.s….when I am trying to call MTS no. from Airtel no.s ,the IVR responce says that the dialled no.(MTS) is invalid…..I contact with MTS CC regarding this problem but they says that it is Airtel’s fault,not their…..I am also try to connect Airtel CC but not able to connect them after 4-5 tries…..can anybody in RoB or any other circle is facing same types of problem regarding Airtel & MTS interconnectivity???…..& what would be done to solve this problem????
I think this is Airtel’s monopoly buiseness…..Airtel dekh raha ke uska din khatam hone ko aa gays…to kyuna dusri company (new) ke gaar me baans daal dia jaye……….shame on u big brother ….shame!!!!
Airtel samajh gaya ke MNP ke introduce ke baad usko sirf maakhi bhagana porega…..is liye uska dimaag ghum gaya…..
dataoneinfo November 22, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I think some wrong info is circulating about this in the circle. BSNL is the first company in India, which is MNP ready.
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 11:57 pm
3G winners can use spectrum only after June……Successful winners of the third generation spectrum auctions, scheduled to be held in January 2010, will only be allowed to use these
airwaves after June next year.
The department of telecom (DoT), in a communication to the defence ministry, while asking the armed forces to vacate 25 MHz of third generation airwaves by December ’09 for the upcoming auctions , has also added that it (the DoT) would ensure that ‘winners in 3G auction would start using this spectrum only after June 2010’.
This is because, the armed forces would need some time to shift the operations of their equipment from the (spectrum) bands they vacate and this can be possible only by June 2010, the DoT communication to defence secretary Pradeep Kumar and cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar added.
The DoT has also assured the defence ministry that it would complete the alternate network fibre cable for the armed forces by December 2012.
Currently, in many key circles or regions, the armed forces occupy a significant amount of the 3G spectrum , vital for high-end services such as high-speed internet and video conferencing on the mobiles.
The defence and communication ministries had entered into an MoU earlier this year, under which DoT would build on alternate network for the armed forces, which in turn would enable the latter to move a bulk of their communication requirements to this network thus freeing up airwaves for commercial telephony . The MoU had also stipulated that the forces will release up to 45 MHz of radio frequencies over a three-year period, of which 25 MHz would for the 3G services and the rest for 2G, the airwaves on which all communications services in the country are currently offered.
The MoU also added that the defence forces will release two blocks (10 MHz) of 3G airwaves and one block of 2G frequencies immediately while the remaining would be released over a three-year time frame. Talks between the armed forces and the DoT have reached a stalemate with the latter stating that the communication ministry’s failure to provide an alternate fibre optic cable network for the defence forces in time was the primary reason due to which they were unable to vacate the airwaves.
But, DoT secretary P J Thomas in his latest communication to Mr Kumar and Mr Chandrasekhar has said that the telecom commission, the highest decision making body of the DoT, would approve the Rs 10,000 crore project to build this alternate network, during its meet on November 23. It also adds that the DoT will present this proposal to the Union Cabinet by November 26 so that the same can be approved by December 3. “The Optic fibre cable for the defence will be implemented as a mission-mode project with chairman and managing director of BSNL as the mission director and one representative each from the MoD and DoT on the mission team,” the communication said, while adding: “Every month the project will be monitored by secretary (telecom) and senior officers from the defence ministry and the armed forces.”
Further assuring the armed forces, Mr Thomas said that the empowered group of ministers (EGoM), headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, would also be requested to monitor this project every quarter. “I have reviewed the time line for completion of this project and have directed BSNL to complete it in 3 years instead of 3-5 years as decided by the GoM,” Mr Thomas added.
…………Source-The Economic Times
vinay November 21, 2009 at 11:44 pm
@rachit
agreed with rachit. till now, v were sure of indentifying some1′s operator by their no. eg. 93 series of reliance or 94 of bsnl or 92 of tata. n if v were under some scheme of t2t free or r2r free, v were talking without fear.
now v can still use the scheme of r2r free, but hv to b careful beforehand that the number v called is also of reliance by confirming the recipient.
Kalpit November 21, 2009 at 10:19 pm
i was waiting for this to release since the last week .. somebody told me about this last week ..
.. Thankx buddy !
mukul November 21, 2009 at 9:44 pm
this mind blowing pricing of Rs. 19 is going to open one small market…a blackmarket for GOOD or IN DEMAND numbers. One has seen that people are after 98200 series of Vodafone Mumbai or 98100 series numbers of Airtel Delhi.
If one has 9810000189 of Airtel Delhi, and suppose it is one of the “sought after” numbers, then now there will be 6 times increase in the number of people who can now get it without having to switch to Airtel Delhi.
i think mobile retailers will start this as a proper business, they will take some margin and give the remaining money to the original owner. people holding “GOOD” numbers will approach mobile retailers and “quote” their expected price for selling their number !!!
RAJA is KING !!!
rachit November 21, 2009 at 8:38 pm
i have a dobt on one thing…………after mnp the no. identification wont be possible i.e. 9810 wont be restricted to airtel it can be ported to idea mtnl or any other operator
this may mark an end to the same network schemes like voda to voda free or like that since the no cant be identified………..
correct me if im wrong
Sanjay Bafna November 21, 2009 at 8:33 pm
No, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows the Mobile service subscribers to retain their existing mobile number when they move from one Service Provider to another Service Provider with in a same licensed service area.
Criston B November 21, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Can I move from mumbai aircel to chennai aircel ?
sathya November 21, 2009 at 6:38 pm
see this
Fahad November 21, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Rs 19 to b charged fr mnp….nt a single penny mre than rs 19 will be charged….
U wud b able to change ur operator within ur circle….
harshit November 21, 2009 at 2:14 pm
@Avishek
i think this can’t happen, we can’t change GSM To CDMA or CDMA TO GSM.
Amit November 21, 2009 at 12:28 pm
@Saptarshi Roy
If you are planning to buy a handset go for models like spice D6666 which gives you flexibility of 2 SIM at same time & 2nd SIM also can be optional as GSM or CDMA. This might work for lot of us
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 11:32 am
U r right mate….some thousand bucks will be needed for changing the operator(CDMA-GSM/GSM-CDMA)….but some of us would accept this to avail the same number……& it is a good & cheap deal for migrating to GSM-GSM & O
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 11:28 am
I am also thinking that same….there is also a hidden charges regarding MNP for us…..the big operators try to catch some extra money from us in this way……but all pray to GOD that MNP charge should remain on 19 rs…..
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 11:27 am
I am also thinking that same….there is also a hidden charges regarding MNP for us…..the big operators try to catch some extra money from us in this way……but all pray to GOD that MNP
Saptarshi Roy November 21, 2009 at 11:26 am
@vinay
Yes, I agree with you. It is logical to make a complete overhaul of both the handset as well as the SIM/RUIM card in order to migrate from CDMA to GSM and vice-versa. But what would be extremely painful here is the fact that in order to retain your 10 digit mobile number, you would have to make an investment, a huge investment towards a handset and a small SIM/RUIM card fee. I won’t say this would be a good bargain.
@B Gupta
Yes MNP is for the 10 digit number only but as I have quoted someone saying that one can retain his phone number while moving from one access provider to another irrespective of the technology and so I asked how it would be possible to avail the features of one technology to another technology (keeping everything else the same) to which Vinay answered that one needs to change the hardware as well!
Let me ask this, how many of you would invest in handsets and SIM/RUIM cards at the cost of retaining your 10 digit mobile number as highlighted by Vinay?
ankit360 November 21, 2009 at 11:25 am
even u not get new sim @ RS19 so how it will me only RS19 to switch provider ? i m sure there is some hidden charges which provider charge you in name of Dipping charge.
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 11:25 am
“validy”….A writing mistake….read it as “Validity”….sorry for that…..
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 11:23 am
Yes….validity must be retain after changing operator….but I think balance talktime & promo’s are not carry forwarded…..but in case of validity it is very important to carry foroward it….but one thing… Airtel/Vodafone have their lisence upto 2024 in RoB….But MTS have their validity till 2028 in RoB circle….so if anybody change his service provider from MTS to Airtel or Airtel to MTS,then what is his validity of simcard???…till 2024 or 2028 or just for few days/months……& is any proper guideline from TRI available regarding validy carry foroword???…or a validy war will introduced by the operators to attract subscribers???
ankit360 November 21, 2009 at 11:19 am
b
but Transaction charge and The Dipping charge r two different charges TRAI only limit Transaction charge what about Dipping charge ?
vinay November 21, 2009 at 11:09 am
agreed with manu. landline no portability required.
vinay November 21, 2009 at 11:08 am
one very imp query.
can lifetime validity of one network operator vl remain valid even if v change the operator. coz they hv taken big amt like 1000 rs to stay connected for life.
1 shudnt lose the lifetime validity. trai add the clause in this regard.
manu November 21, 2009 at 10:56 am
when will ‘Landline Number Portability (LNP)’ get introduced? its equally important and needs urgent introduction.
Sanjay Bafna November 21, 2009 at 10:49 am
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows the Mobile service subscribers to retain their existing mobile number when they move from one Service Provider to Another Service Provider with in a same licensed service area or Same LSA.
B Gupta November 21, 2009 at 10:40 am
@Saptarshi
MNP is for Mobile Number Portabilty , not for Mobile handset portability.
vinay November 21, 2009 at 10:40 am
@ saptarshi.
simple. change the handset from gsm to cdma or vice versa by keeping ur old number with u. u cant operater ur tata indicom sim from anyother gsm phones or ur docomo sim from any indicom phones.
Saptarshi Roy November 21, 2009 at 9:55 am
I simply do not understand how one would avail the CDMA features in a GSM enabled handset and vice-versa? Numbers can change but can there be an interoperability between two different technologies especially when they are entirely diverse such as these? I do not think there can! Brothers and sisters, please correct and enlighten me if I am wrong.
Vinayak November 21, 2009 at 9:42 am
@ankit360
Why should we be bothered about dipping charges. Dipping charges is between the operator and the MNP service provider. Also TRAI has clearly mandated that Rs. 19 is the maximum a comsumer has to pay for changing operator. SO why should we as consumers bother about dipping charges etc? Sit back and enjoy!!!
ankit360 November 21, 2009 at 9:33 am
i m sure Dipping charge will be high
avtarkaint November 21, 2009 at 8:57 am
good move by trai
Turkee November 21, 2009 at 8:52 am
Get ready for another war now, earlier it was price war now quality of service war. Both were good for subscribers.
Himanshu November 21, 2009 at 2:54 am
wohh…
Now no need to pay any premium to any service provider for any services…..
Himanshu November 21, 2009 at 2:52 am
Now n
Duane November 21, 2009 at 2:22 am
@B Gupta
B GUPTA you are correct … you will only be able to migrate from X operator to Y operator in the SAME circle (Intra Circle). If INTER-CIRCLE MNP is allowed then the concept of ROAMING would also cease to exist!
>>I have a confusion about the term “Licenced service area”—-Does it mean one can’t switch to Vodafone Chennai to Vodafone Tamilnadu or say Airtel WBTC to Airtel Kolkata? Can anyone clear this out?
Agnivo November 21, 2009 at 1:25 am
@Fahad
Theek hai bhaiya, airtel wala comment dekh lo, has podoge!
Fahad November 21, 2009 at 1:22 am
@Agnivo
no prob. Dude….kisi aur din sahi…..
Agnivo November 21, 2009 at 1:16 am
@Fahad
Sorry mate, my party is over… finished a pint of vodka and now planning to read a book. Still, cheers! enjoy MNP @ Rs.19 instead of bagpiper…
Fahad November 21, 2009 at 1:11 am
chandi he chandi
….w8 4 me i wl bring bagpiper soda…..atlast i wud b able to change one of my crap sim card to idea i mean my reliance no….wow
Agnivo November 21, 2009 at 1:02 am
From TRAI press release:
“dipping” means use of query response system of the Mobile Number Portability Service provider for obtaining Location Routing Number for routing a message to the called number.
“Dipping charge” means the charge payable by an Access Provider or an International Long Distance Operator, to the Mobile Number Portability Service provider for each dipping
“Location Routing Number” means the code assigned to every Access Provider for the purpose of implementing Mobile Number Portability
zeeshan November 21, 2009 at 12:22 am
Thanks for reply@tej
zeeshan November 21, 2009 at 12:21 am
Answers
1 You need GSM Handset because Your SIM CARD will change to Vodafone.
2 lock should be opened because in that MTS will provide their SIM card to you.
3 For Dipping charges please read whole article.’ @Avishek
tej November 21, 2009 at 12:17 am
@zeeshan
@zeeshan
yes u can..migrate cdma 2 gsm and vice versa..
zeeshan November 21, 2009 at 12:15 am
Great. Thanks @Avishek
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 12:07 am
Ur answer….”Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows the subscribers to retain their existing mobile telephone number when they move from one Access Provider to another irrespective of the mobile technology or from one cellular mobile technology to another of the same Access Provider, in a licensed service area.”
Avishek November 21, 2009 at 12:05 am
Some questions regarding MNP…..
1.If anybody using a cdma connection,i.e TATA Indicom with any CDMA handset….then he converted his connection to Vodafone,which is a GSM connection…then is he able to use that cdma handset or he needs a gsm handset……???& also in case of vice-versa…i.e GSM to CDMA…
2.If anybody using Reliance CDMA connection,want to change his connection to MTS….Is he then able to use that Reliance CDMA n/w locked handset with MTS connection???
3.The Per Port Transaction charge shall be Rs.19….but what about the Dipping charge???
So many technical & well telle educated persons are present Here in TT….so pls answer my questions soon……
zeeshan November 20, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Can anyone migrate from GSM to CDMA or CDMA to GSM or CDMA to CDMA?
kuku November 20, 2009 at 11:53 pm
3 cheers to TRAI. hope there is no delay this time under some false pretext.
Krishna November 20, 2009 at 11:19 pm
@Krishna
*because
Krishna November 20, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Yaay!
At last . Owning a fancy number and Stoopid network coverage by Idea in Chennai , I had to suffer with very poor network coverage and was forced to activate Missed Call Alerts @ 15 a month beaause of this.
Come December 31 and a new way of life begins for me. I’m freaking happy !
I can finally switch over to Aircel or Airtel and enjoy my phone . *sighs heavily*
Thanks a ton TRAI, We love you ^_^
B Gupta November 20, 2009 at 10:45 pm
No doubt that one can’t switch from Kerala to Maharashtra or Karnataka to AP. But what about Maharashtra/Mumbai , Tamilnadu/Chennai and West Bengal/Kolkata?
Are they treated as one LSA or different? There are no roaming charges b/w TN/CHN or WB/KOL , not sure about MH/MUM.
Nikhil Khurana November 20, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Acc. to the sources MTNL and BSNL are still not ready as they even don”t have made tender for the process and moreover it will first start in 4 metros………its not possible to start before 30 march 2010 as our govt companies are not ready for it with infrastucture………..or we can say they know that they are going to loose many of their customers bcoz of their poor services………
kaushik November 20, 2009 at 10:36 pm
that means BSNL kolkata number cant be converted into MTNL Delhi number
it should be in same licence area i.e same circle
Is not it ? pls explain
Webly November 20, 2009 at 10:33 pm
@Agnivo
The date is already declared by TRAI. So now no more delays.
Cheers.
sud November 20, 2009 at 10:08 pm
meeee tooooo …
SANKAR November 20, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I think that Licensed Service Area means the same telecom circle of operation.
One can move to another operator within the circle.
ie., Tamilnadu/Chennai circle number can be portabled to another service provider in the Tamilnadu/Chennai circle only. The number cannot be portabled to another telecom circle like Andhrapradesh or Kerala.
SANKAR November 20, 2009 at 9:59 pm
@B Gupta
I think that Licensed Service Area means the same telecom circle of operation.
One can move to another operator within the circle.
ie., Tamilnadu/Chennai circle number can be portabled to another service provider in the Tamilnadu/Chennai circle only. The number cannot be portabled to another telecom circle like Andhrapradesh or Kerala.
ishan November 20, 2009 at 9:56 pm
previously i heard that MNP charges will be about rs.300..but now the reality is it is just rs.19..great move by TRAI.really there will be a another tariff war..i think now the telcos will put their attention to improve the QOS..otherwise they will not get new customers and will also lose existing customers..
Agnivo November 20, 2009 at 9:51 pm
@Webly
Hope the New Year eve doesn’t bring the bad news: “MNP delayed again due to some operators not ready with the upgrade in infrastructure”… so easy to do for them yet not so easy to digest by us.
Webly November 20, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Lets celebrate the good news, guys !
We are blessed to be born in a country with 2nd largest telecom industry in the world.
I’m waiting for 31st Dec.
Agnivo November 20, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Ha ha ha, we should sit together sometime! where are you btw?
prem November 20, 2009 at 9:43 pm
The MNP Apply in India i think 1st MNP Apply by 31December 2009 and 1st City is Mumbai , Delhi , Culcutta.
kaushik November 20, 2009 at 9:39 pm
i open a RUM tonight as next 2 days is holiday so no work
Agnivo November 20, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Simply unexpected charges! What a day!!!
Ha ha, seems like there will be another tariff war in terms of absorbing the MNP charges… some offering free, while further tariff war will lead to crediting Rs.50 (say) talktime for porting to a certain operator… LOL
True telecom independence is to come very soon… 3 cheers! *opens a bottle of vodka to celebrate*
Debopratim Roy November 20, 2009 at 9:25 pm
LSA or Licensed Service Area includes for example that of both Calcutta circle and West bengal Telecom as calls between them are local for a long time..MNP would be big boomerang for a worst GSM service provider like Reliance whose quality of service and network related issues are lower than a beggar..Airtel,Vodafone,BSNL,Idea,MTNL wont be affected much by MNP as these are above benchmaked operators..Better write or mail to TRAI related to LSA related doubts at:trai.authority@gmail.com!
Webly November 20, 2009 at 9:19 pm
The operators had kept all the customers glued to their respective networks for a while now. We were helpless, to keep our no. Atlast we won our freedom in democratic India.
3 cheers to TRAI.
zeeshan November 20, 2009 at 8:58 pm
It is too cheap than I expected. Now Battlefield is ready as no one will hesitate to use MNP because of its charges. All operators especially Airtel BEWARE!!!!!!
B Gupta November 20, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I have a confusion about the term “Licenced service area”—-Does it mean one can’t switch to Vodafone Chennai to Vodafone Tamilnadu or say Airtel WBTC to Airtel Kolkata? Can anyone clear this out?