Number portability is a feature that allows a mobile subscriber to use the same number across different service providers. The user has the freedom to opt for any service provider without the time-consuming exercise of letting the rest of the world know about the change of number. 

A statement issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said mobile number portability would be implemented only by April 2010.

As opposed to the earlier plan of rolling out MNP in metros and some big cities by January 2010 and other parts of the country by April 2010, the government of india is now planning to introduce the plan for the entire country at one go.

Number portability can be of different types.

Location-based: This enables a mobile subscriber to use the same number when shifting from one geographical area to another.

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.

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).

Convergence-based: Allows usage of the same number while shifting from fixed to mobile telephony.

Related Posts