MNP system to begin by Sep

The unsatisfied mobile users of metros and larger cities who are not pleased from their existing mobile service operators will now be able to switch to their desired operators without the fear of changing mobile numbers by coming September as the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) system has reached on to its final stage.

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MNP system is a centralized database system that allows the customers to choose his/her desired service provider from the existing one without changing the mobile number. Earlier, it was not possible, and the customers had to change the number in case of shifting to a new operator.

Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has given license to MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions India (MITS) – a joint venture between U.S.-based Telecordia Technologies and Gurgaon-based solution firm – to begin the service in two phases in the southern and eastern regions of India.

Initially this facility will be rolled out in Kolkata, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in six months, while the testing of this MNP service will commence from July 20, informed Ashok Sapra, the Managing Director, MITS that has its clearing house and data centre in Bangalore and a disaster recovery centre in Kolkata.

The US based firm Telecordia - engaged in development of fixed, mobile and broadband communication software and services that has its research and development (R&D) facility in Chennai – has got the nod from Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to invest in the joint venture through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Telcordia is willing to invest around $10-million initially in the project.

As many as 4-6% of all mobile phone users may use this facility annually, hopes Sapra. There are as many as 73-million mobile users in three southern states and Kolkata, MNP estimates.

‘To shift from an existing operator, customers will need to submit a request to their operator. The process will take a maximum of two days and the mobile phone will be under a de-activated stage for just two hours, during the process,’ said Sapra.

DoT has not cleared so far that this service will be available at free of cost or the applicants would have to pay some amount.

“We are waiting for TRAI to announce the revenue sharing aspect so that the gateway could be paid by users. We are confident of rolling out the portability within the timeframe of 12 months,” he added.

MNP is also planning to roll out this service in Kerala, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal till end of March 2010.