Mobile Number Portability
MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY
1.1
Introduction
Mobile Number Portability offers the subscriber the flexibility to retain his telephone number even when he switches to another operator in a service area. Number portability is a feature that allows a mobile subscriber to use the same number across different service providers. The person/user has the liberty to opt for any service provider without the time-consuming exercise of letting the rest of the world know about the change of number
Very often subscribers do not switch to another operator even if the competitor is offering lower tariff and better services because they do not want to change their number.
In a consultation paper issued in July 2005, TRAI said that subscribers and operators would benefit from the introduction of the number portability system. As per TRAI, "In most service areas in India, subscribers have a choice of operators, however, the subscriber's inability to retain his telephone number when changing operators is an obstacle to competition. Therefore, MNP will benefit subscribers and increase the level of competition, rewarding operators with the best customer service, coverage, and service quality.”
1.2
Types of Number portability
Number portability can be of different types.
1.2.1 Location-based: This enables a mobile subscriber to use the same number when shifting from one geographical area to another.
1.2.2 Operator-based: This makes it possible for a mobile subscriber (or a fixed telephony subscriber) to shift from one mobile (or a fixed) service provider to another in the same area and retain his original number too.
1.2.3 Service-based: Enables subscribers of a company to use the same numbers across different mobile technologies — Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based Wireless in Local Loop (WLL).
1.2.4 Convergence-based: Allows usage of the same number while shifting from fixed to
mobile
1.1
Introduction
Mobile Number Portability offers the subscriber the flexibility to retain his telephone number even when he switches to another operator in a service area. Number portability is a feature that allows a mobile subscriber to use the same number across different service providers. The person/user has the liberty to opt for any service provider without the time-consuming exercise of letting the rest of the world know about the change of number
Very often subscribers do not switch to another operator even if the competitor is offering lower tariff and better services because they do not want to change their number.
In a consultation paper issued in July 2005, TRAI said that subscribers and operators would benefit from the introduction of the number portability system. As per TRAI, "In most service areas in India, subscribers have a choice of operators, however, the subscriber's inability to retain his telephone number when changing operators is an obstacle to competition. Therefore, MNP will benefit subscribers and increase the level of competition, rewarding operators with the best customer service, coverage, and service quality.”
1.2
Types of Number portability
Number portability can be of different types.
1.2.1 Location-based: This enables a mobile subscriber to use the same number when shifting from one geographical area to another.
1.2.2 Operator-based: This makes it possible for a mobile subscriber (or a fixed telephony subscriber) to shift from one mobile (or a fixed) service provider to another in the same area and retain his original number too.
1.2.3 Service-based: Enables subscribers of a company to use the same numbers across different mobile technologies — Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based Wireless in Local Loop (WLL).
1.2.4 Convergence-based: Allows usage of the same number while shifting from fixed to
mobile