The Mobile Number Portability aka MNP finally to start nation wide in India from 20th January 2011. MNP enable you to change your service provider while retaining existing mobile number from tomorrow. MNP was first launched in Haryana Telecom circle on 25th November 2010.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued official notification for the implementation of the Pan India Mobile Number Portability (MNP) to all over the country from January 20. All service areas has assigned a nodal operator to handle all process.
Though its a fear to all operators with bad service or poor customer support to loose their customer base hence already many mobile service operators started MNP Campaign over Electronic & Print media as well as social networking sites like twitter and facebook. Vodaofone and Idea Cellular has also started a Toll Free MNP Helpline number to all Indian users.
How to Switch Your Current Operator and Port a Mobile Number
~You need to send SMS to 1900 in following format: PORT Your Mobile Number
For exp: PORT 9999999999.
~You will get an SMS reply with a unique porting code.
~SMS to the preferred operator quoting the unique code. This code is valid only for a few days and you will have to apply again if it expires.
Now your existing operator will check with new operator & if there are no dues then approval will be given for porting.
~You will get an SMS on the time and date when porting will take place. The process may take 4 days to complete.
~After porting is complete, wait for an SMS from your new operator confirming the operation.
~After this your phone may be offline for about 2 hours when the porting takes place.
~You’ll be provided a new SIM card.
~For pre paid, the balance amount of talk time will be lapse.
~You can change to another operator only after 90 days.
~The charge for MNP is Rs. 19 and this will be charged by any of telecom operators for porting a mobile number.