Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) fixed the maximum rate of mobile number portability fee at Rs.19. Although Telecom operators are free to charge less than Rs.19 or even offer this service free. Now it is imperative for the Telecom company to offer best Coverage, Connectivity, and quality of service.
How it works
- To begin with, you need to generate UPC (Unique Porting Code) by sending SMS to 1900. UPC is an alphanumeric code allocated, upon request, by a mobile operator to its subscriber for the purpose of facilitation of porting of his/her mobile number to another operator.
SMS to be sent : PORT <your Mobile Number> to 1900. Operator SMS charges will be applicable.
Eg. SMS PORT 98XXXXXXXX to 1900
- Within few seconds, you’ll receive a SMS containing your 8-digit Unique Porting ID (UPC code) and the expiry date of that Porting ID
- Walk into any of retail outlets of your new mobile operator and flash the Porting ID. You will be asked for Valid Photo ID and address proof as well as 1 photograph for signing the Subscricer/Customer Enrollment form.
- Get a new SIM card of your new mobile operator. Fill the application form/Number Porting form and enter your details like your current number and 8-digit Porting ID in the form along with your documents and submit it.
- Post paid users have to submit the last bill as well as payment details of their current operator.
- It may take maximum 48 hours to transfer your mobile number to new mobile network operator.
- Mobile number will be switched off for only one hour and this will be informed in advance during switching process.
- Your new operator will send a SMS telling you the day when your number will be transferred. Just insert your new sim card that day and get started.
Current Limitations
- You Cant carry your no. to other telecom circle. i.e. If you have Mobile connection for Delhi NCR circle, you can switch to another operator of Delhi NCR Circle only and not Mumbai, Karnataka etc.
- MNP is currently applicable for Mobile numbers only and not Landlines.
- Postpaid users will have to clear their outstanding withing stipulated time (Not disclosed presently) of bill generation to their earlier Operator, after the number is shifted and ensure the reciept copy reaches the new operator else the number will be disconnected.
- For Prepaid customer, any unutilized call value/Balance will disappear and will not be carried forwarded to the new operator. It is advisable that you utilize all your call value/ Balance before sending the SMS.
- You are not allowed to switch operator and retain the number if you have been with that operator for less than 3 months.
Who is set to Benefit from this Move?
Of Course you "The Customer". Now You cant be taken for a ride and you are free to discard the Service provider offering you Poor Service. Also, Efficient and Customer Focussed operators offering you best services at best rates maintaining their profitibility are set to benefit.
This also gives fair chance to all new operators who claim that they are not able to azquire high revenue customer since they didn't had early movers advantage.
Overall, in the Current Year 2010, MNP and 3G is all set to change the face of telecom industry.
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) FAQ's
Who can make a Mobile Number Portability Request?
Any existing mobile customer of any operator can make a number porting request after 90 days from the date of activation of his mobile. If the mobile number has already been ported once, the subscriber can make another porting request for the same number only after 90 days from the date of the previous porting.
Where can I make a Number Portability Request if I want to move to another operator?
To make a request, you have to first get the UPC (Unique Porting Code) by sending SMS of PORT <your Mobile Number> to 1900. Then visit an Retail outlet (Retail Shop) of New Telecom Operator in your city to make a Number Port-In request by filling the requisite Customer Agreement Form and Port-in Form. After submitting the required documents and payment you will get the SIM card from the outlet.
For how long is Unique Porting Code valid?
Unique Porting Code (UPC) received by you while making the porting request is valid for a period of 15 days.
Do I have to pay anything if I want to switch?
Yes, you have to pay a nominal porting fee of Maximum of Rs.19 at the time of making the porting request. After submitting the required documents and payment you will get the new SIM card from the outlet.
What are the reasons due to which my existing operator may reject my port-In request to another operator?
Your port-in request may be rejected by your existing operator because of any of the following reasons :
• Wrong UPC has been quoted in the form against the one provided in the SMS
• You have an unpaid bill on your existing postpaid mobile number.
• Pending request for change of ownership of the concerned Mobile Number
• The mobile number is under contractual obligation
• 90 Days has not lapsed since number activation
• 90 Days has not lapsed since last Porting Request from the same Mobile Number
• You have applied for inter-Circle porting
• The existing mobile number has a pending legal case
How long will it take for my connection to be migrated from my existing service provider to new service provider?
Number Portability process will be completed within 7 working days as per process mandated by DoT.
Will my mobile connection stop working when I give a porting request?
Maximum time to complete the process of MNP is 7 days. For 2-hours during this period , termed as ‘no service period’, your mobile service will not be active on any SIM. This ‘no service period’ will be between 12 midnight to 5am to ensure there is no inconvenience to you.
How will I know when I have to replace my old SIM with new operator SIM?
You will get an SMS from New Operator on your existing operator’s SIM informing you about port-in date and time after which you can use your existing number on new Operator Provided SIM.
Can I use MNP to port from one circle to other circle?
MNP would be available only within the same telecom Circle (licensed service area) i.e. you can switch mobile operators within your telecom Circle only.
Example a customer from Maharastra telecom Circle can switch operators within Maharastra telecom Circle and not outside Maharastra telecom Circle.
If I am a CDMA mobile customer can I move to GSM Service Provider and Vice Versa?
Yes, you can move your CDMA mobile number switch to GSM Service Provider and Vice Versa.
List Of Major Mobile Operators
Airtel, Aircel, Idea, Tata Teleservices (Indicom/Docomo), Reliance, Vodafone, BSNL, MTNL, Loop Mobile, Uninor, Videocon, MTS, Stel
