Updated : Govt Allows Mobile Number Portability; To Start By 2009 !

[Honest 836]

Mobile number portability in metros likely by mid 09

30 Jul, 2008, 0034 hrs IST, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: Here is good news for all mobile users in the country. The government has finalised the finer details, including the road map, for introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) that will give cellphone users the freedom to choose their service provider while retaining their numbers.

ET has learnt that telecom minister A Raja is slated to announce the timeline and the methodology for the implementation of MNP within the next few days. Highly placed sources in the department of telecom (DoT) said the announcement may come as early as Friday.

Market surveys have shown that between 25-50% of mobile users in India are unhappy with their operator, and are willing to switch to another service provider if allowed to retain their number.

Sources said Mr Raja is likely to announce a time frame of ‘the summer of 2009’ for implementation of MNP in the metros and category A telecom circles such as Tamil Nadu and Maharastra. According to sources, the road map will involve several steps — first, the DoT will issue a request for proposal (RFP) for selecting two or even four centralised operators who will administer and implement MNP.

It is learnt that five players — four US-based companies and a state-owned Indian entity are in the fray to become centralised operators. The players are Telcordia, NeuStar, Syniverse and IBC, and CDoT, sources said. They also added the centralised operator will be selected through a bidding process, and added successful bidders would have to invest up to Rs 100 crore to set up clearing houses to allow MNP to take place.

The process will be as follows — successful bidders will become Mobile Number Portability Clearing House Administrator (MCHAs) and they will set up the Number Portability Database (NPDB), which will have the mobile numbers of all cellular users. All service providers will then be asked to link their networks that of the MCHAs and NPDB.

In November 2007, Mr Raja had announced the decision to introduce MNP, while adding that modalities would be spelt out later after due consultations with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The modalities have now been finalised.

In April 2008, Trai had sent its recommendations to the DoT on this issue and proposed that for the ‘MNP implementation in India, the neutral third party should own and operate MNP clearing house and the centralised data base’.

“The company will not have substantial equity (over 10 per cent stake) directly or indirectly in any of the telecom service provider in India. Similarly, any telecom service provider will not have substantial equity, directly or indirectly in the company,” Trai added.

The regulator also said that the cost for setting up and running of the MCHA would be borne by the successful bidder while adding that the costs can be recovered by charging a port transaction fee from service providers.

The introduction of MNP will result in a significant churn in the telecom market and is likely to impact well-entrenched bigger players the most. The move will benefit the new entrants such as Datacom and Unitech. Besides, CDMA majors such as Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications, who are launching GSM services, also stand to benefit.

While telcos say that MNP may have no impact as their subscriber base as the number of exits will be balanced by the addition of new users, the introduction of this facility may hit their bottom lines as operators will be forced to increase the costs of retaining one’s subscribers.

[Honest 836]

Bharti in favour of cell phone number portability

DNA MONEY

Bharti Airtel, the country's leading mobile phone service provider, says it is ready for number portability.

In a conference call after the announcement of quarterly results last week, joint managing director Akhil Gupta said Bharti's systems were already calibrated for the eventuality.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) wants countrywide mobile number portability by June 2009.

Gupta expects it to be rolled out early next year. Under number portability, a subscriber can retain his phone number even after shifting to another service provider.

Consultations are on between the TRAI, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and operators on the modalities of executing number portability.

Internationally, the cost of a switchover is around 30 pounds or Rs 2,400, a source said.

This fee is either paid by the subscriber to the network that he's switching to or the cost is shared by the new operator and the subscriber.

Industry estimates that anything between Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 3,000 crore is required as a one-time cost for upgrading the networks to enable number portability.

The move is expected to step up competition, and directly improve the quality of service because all mobile phone players would make an effort to prevent customers from shifting to competition.

GSM (global systems for mobile communications) operators such as Bharti were earlier resisting rollout of number portability.

Bharti officials said they were in favour of number portability for all fixed line and mobile rather than just the latter.

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents GSM firms such as Bharti, Vodafone, Idea and Aircel, had said last year that the telecom market must mature further before number portability can be introduced.

Rival body Association for Unified Service Providers of India (AUSPI), representing CDMA (code division multiple access) players such as Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices, wrote a letter to communications minister A Raja recently, saying, "In case fixed-line number portability cannot be introduced at this point of time for any reason, technical or otherwise, mobile number portability should not be held up."

In April, TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra had written to Siddhartha Behura, secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), stating that the government should come out with a roadmap for implementation.

[agrawaltrilok 0]

Economic Times report on Mobile Number Portability is a welcome news for all the Indian mobile users however, its usefulness can be judged only when the details are out. Economic Times says that approximately 45-50% of Indian mobile users want to change their service providers but are prohibited by the fact they will have to change their mobile nos. To make MNP a success let us look some critical factors -

1. Cost of MNP for the user - Though there will not be any direct cost on the users but the costs of investments made by the operators to implement MNP will be passed on to the users. There would also be recurring costs of maintaining Mobile Number Portability Clearing House Administrator (MCHAs) and Number Portability Database (NPDB).

2. Time of porting a number - The fact that most of the indian users are prepaid users and it is extremely easy and fast to buy a prepaid connection. If time taken to port a no. from one operator to another is more, it would be a deterrent for prospective MNP users.

3. Operators willingness - MNP would demand significant investments from the operators in - 1. Upgrading their existing networks 2. Change billing systems 3. Charges for using MCHA and NPDB

I am keenly waiting for the finer details of MNP rollout plan. Telcom minister is expected to announce MNP and 3G guidelines anytime now since monkey (left parties) is off their shoulders now. US, Australia, Singapore etc. have implemented MNP successfully, there is no reason we should not be able to do it.

[Honest 836]

Govt allows mobile number portability; to start in 2 months

1 Aug, 2008, 1553 hrs IST, ET

NEW DELHI: Mobile users unhappy with their current service providers will soon have the option of switching operators without changing numbers, thanks to the government announcing guidelines for the same.

Telecom Minister A Raja on Friday said MNP would first start in the four metros in next two months and subsequently roll out in rest of the country over the next 6-12 months.

As per the guidelines, the whole country will be divided into two MNP zones consisting of 11 service areas with two metros in each zone.

The MNP service provider and the mobile operators would not be allowed to have equity (direct or indirect) stake in each other's operations.

"No single company/legal person/the MNP License applicant or MNP Licensee company either directly or indirectly will have any equity, in any of the telecom service provider (basic service, UAS, Cellular Mobile, NLD or ILD) and vice-versa," Raja said.

Government would distribute the licenses for MNP soon and the eligible applicant should have an experience of operating successfully, number portability solution for a mobile subscriber base of not less than 25 million in one or more countries for at least two years.

According to guidelines, the applicant company shall have a minimum paid up capital of Rs 10 crore on the date of application and a networth of Rs 100 crore.

[Asit 4]

Govt allows mobile number portability; to start in 2 months

It is really good, in two months, really first.

May be its due to election coming ahead, but its really good for us.

[KumaarShah 143]

Hopes, Hopes, high hopes.

Lets wait and watch.....

[Honest 836]

^^^

My dear friends, actually MNP will initially be started in four Metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Kokata & Chennai).

And within next 6 to 12 months it will be rolled out throughout the country.

Atlast we can hope for the best, as many of the subscribers are not satisfied with their respective operators, so now atleast they will have to change the operator without changing their mobile number.

I think this will bring now more competition for reduced tariff rates.

Regards.

[P. K. Daga 3]

I have my own doubts it this will be possible in two months even in Metros, as upgradation in the network and billing and then implimentation, it looks impossible in two months. Moreover, it will take atleast 3-4 months to even finalise the clearing houses for both the zones. I am keeping my fingers cost, it it happens, it will not be less than a miracle.

[vishalsheth 19]

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=40932

[KumaarShah 143]

The Telecom Minister has said that the process will be started in 2 months time and the rollout will take place by March (or so) 2009.

The following is the link: http://www.tech2.com/india/news/telecom/ch...-number/43951/0

So don't dream of changing providers within 2 months, it will take much longer than that. I presume that both 3G and MNP will not be available before end 2009 or maybe by March 2010 it will be in place. Be ready for a lot of litigations by vested interests.

[kshah 452]

The Telecom Minister has said that the process will be started in 2 months time and the rollout will take place by March (or so) 2009.

The following is the link: http://www.tech2.com/india/news/telecom/ch...-number/43951/0

So don't dream of changing providers within 2 months, it will take much longer than that. I presume that both 3G and MNP will not be available before end 2009 or maybe by March 2010 it will be in place. Be ready for a lot of litigations by vested interests.

True.

[retro182 1]

Does any one have any idea as to how will the the Number Portability take place if one wants to migrate to CDMA to CDMA i.e Reliance to TATA. Will we be able to use the the same handsets which I understand are configured to work with only the specified Operator.

Does any one have any idea as to how this works???? May be some one has some idea how it happens in other CDMA markets i.e. USA. ????????

[KumaarShah 143]

^^^

There should not be any problems as only the number will be retained and the operator will change. It works in the same way as when you change from RCOM to Airtel - both are different technologies.

Why worry about all these issues - these are the operators' headaches.

[kshah 452]

^^^

There should not be any problems as only the number will be retained and the operator will change. It works in the same way as when you change from RCOM to Airtel - both are different technologies.

Why worry about all these issues - these are the operators' headaches.

Kumaar you are right, at the same time knowing more is also equally important, just for the sake of it.

portability can be done two ways,

1. by installing DNS server like concept, where all phone goes to one central server, where operator is checked and then ported to respective operator. This is perhaps better way to port it.

2. call launch to original operator as per numbering plan, then forwarded to other operator (like call forwarding), this is more expensive and operator dependent. Original Operator can play game if he wants to.

[vishalsheth 19]

In usa there's no restriction for changing the operator. You retain your number and goto any gsm, cdma, etc.

[raccoon 53]

But this is India... I wont be surprised if the dont allow portablity across GSM - CDMA. In the absense of more details... we can only wait and watch.

Retro182, MNP does not mean handset portablity. Even if they allow mobility of number across technologies, handsets will/can remain locked to the operator... in case of CDMA!

Edited August 7, 2008 by raccoon

[Honest 836]

TRAI calls for changes in number portability format, WiMAX auction

15 Aug, 2008, 0000 hrs IST, ET

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Telecom regulator TRAI has warned the department of telecom (DoT) that if mobile number portability policy is implemented under the current format, the consumers may be forced to pay higher tariffs and quality of services too may fall. Number portability empowers consumers to retain their number but change their operator.

In addition, TRAI has also called for a review of the WiMAX spectrum auction policy unveiled by the DoT and has listed out several loopholes in the guidelines. These objections come close on the heels of TRAI pointing out that the government’s decision to allot third generation (3G) spectrum to CDMA players without an auction was against the principles of equality. In effect, TRAI wants a review of all the three policies — 3G, WiMAX and number portability — announced on August 1 by communications minister A Raja.

Mr Raja, when unveiling the MNP policy, said the government would select two centralised agencies, who would be given 11 circles each to implement number portability. He also added that these agencies would be chosen through a techno-economic evaluation (beauty parade). TRAI has now told the DoT that only one centralised operator should be given the task of implementing MNP. “We are only sticking to our earlier recommendation.

If we have two centralised players, the cost to the telecom service provider and the carriage charges are likely to increase. Therefore the cost of MNP also increases. This is because, the mobile number will have to be scrubbed, cross checked or moved across two different directories,” TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra told ET. He also added that TRAI wants the centralised operator to be chosen via an auction process. “A beauty contest will not be objective and transparent,” he added.

It is learnt that five players — Telcordia, NeuStar, Syniverse and IBC, and CDoT are in the fray to become centralised operators. TRAI has also said that DoT has failed to specify the porting fee — the amount it would cost the subscriber to change his operator.

The regulator has also observed that national and international long distance carriers (operators who carry STD and ISD traffic) will be required to route calls on the ported numbers, but the policy remains silent on the modalities. Besides, it has also added that as per the DoT’s guidelines, all operators would become dependent on the two centralised operators to provide MNP. This may impact the quality of service, the regulator warned.

“We do not in any way want to be seen as stopping the process of MNP. We are all for it. Being a regulator, we have only expressed our concerns over the guidelines,” Mr Misra said. With regard to WiMAX spectrum auctions, TRAI has pointed out that successful bidders should be given 20 MHz of radio frequencies either in the 2.3 MHz band or the 2.5 MHz band. Put simply, Trai is of the view that the 20 MHz of spectrum cannot be spread across both these frequency bands.

The WiMAX guidelines also say that successful bidders shall deposit 25% of the bid amount within five days of the bid and the remaining amount within 15 days, failing which, the earnest money (which is 25% of the reserve price) shall stand forfeited. But Trai believes that in case the successful bidder deposits 25% of the bid amount within 5 days and fails to deposit the balance sum (bid amount — bid deposit) within 15 days of the bid, then both the earnest money as well as his bid deposit should be forfeited.

[Honest 836]

TRAI differs with DoT on mobile number portability

17 Aug, 2008, 1547 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: In yet another instance of disagreement with policy makers, TRAI has questioned DoT's decision to divide the whole country in two zones instead of one as recommended by the telecom regulator for mobile number portability facility.

"The guidelines envisage two number portability zones. You would kindly recall that the Authority had recommended a single zone having one country operator for licence of MNP clearing house and number portability database and this was also accepted by the DoT," TRAI said in a letter to Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura.

Mobile number portability offers a facility to subscribers to have the option of switching operators without changing numbers. Communication and IT Minister A Raja had said that the service would first start in the four metros by the end of this year and in rest of the country over the next 6-12 months.

According to the guidelines announced on August 1, the whole country will be divided into two MNP zones consisting 11 service areas with two metros in each zone.

TRAI Chairman had also objected to DoTs decision to issue new licences to successful bidders in 3G spectrum auction saying that for such a decision TRAI's prior recommendation was a must.

On the MNP front now, TRAI pointed out that it seems the decision to have only one operator was reviewed in the Standing Committee on MNP in DoT, which also has a representative from TRAI.

The representative from the TRAI during these meetings had drawn the attention of the Standing Committee to the technical, financial and regulatory arguments in favour of retaining a single licence for the entire country, TRAI said.

[Honest 836]

Number portability: DoT not for fee on subscribers

Business Line

Mumbai, Aug. 29 Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is not in favour of imposing a fee on mobile subscribers who want to retain their telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another.

However, it will finally boil down to the recommendations that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will issue, Mr Siddharth Behura, Telecom Secretary, told newspersons on the sidelines of the ‘Telecom Energy Summit’ held here in Mumbai.

From April next

Number portability will be operational in metros by April next year following which there will be a phase-wise launch in the rest of the circles.

According to a survey by IDC, over 30 per cent of mobile users will change their operator if they have this service. However, GSM mobile operators are in favour of having a fee for number portability. This is because implementing this service would require operators to fork out over Rs 4,000 crore.

Mr Behura also said that the auction process for 3G spectrum licenses will be completed by September 30, as the DoT wants mobile operators to launch services by the year end.

According to some reports, State-run BSNL and MTNL would launch high-end 3G services by the end of this calendar year.

[Honest 836]

Bidding for mobile number portability agency in a week

18 Sep, 2008, 1331 hrs IST, IANS

NEW DELHI: The bidding for an agency that will overlook the rollout of the proposed mobile number portability (MNP) will open within a week, telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura said on Thursday.

He said the agency would be finalised in three months. "Six months from thereafter, we will roll out the MNP services in the metros initially and later in the rest of the country," Behura said here.

Under the MNP proposal, a subscriber can change mobile service providers without having to change the original mobile phone number.

[faizone 15]

am still not very clear about the options.. will it be across gsm-cdma or just gsm-gsm/cdma-cdma... will this option be open to prepaid customers..

people.. if u are keen on switching networks.. change to postpaid right now.. else the companies would atleast try desperately to lock down atleast the prepaid customers//

[rbdhoot 11]

What about the Free Onnet Packs then ?? How we come to know that a 93 number is not a reliance ??

[@mitJ@in 256]

Then we could have 93 number in Reliance GSM too inspite of new serie 90XX

[Arun 795]

Post MNP, subscribers can swap between GSM and CDMA services while retaining number

Economic Times | New Delhi | 27 Sep 2008

The department of telecom (DoT) has made significant changes in the mobile number portability (MNP) norms to allow customers move between GSM and CDMA services provided by the same operator.

As per the earlier norms, customers could move to a different operator and retain their number. But following the amendment, a customer will now be allowed to shift to different technology platform offered by his own operator and still retain his mobile number.

The move is set to benefit Reliance Communications (RCOM), Tata Teleservices, and state-owned players, BSNL and MTNL. RCOM and the Tatas now offer pan-India mobile services on the CDMA platform. They are now all set to launch GSM operations within the next couple of months. BSNL and MTNL, which currently offer GSM services, are rolling out full-fledged services on the CDMA platform.

ET has learnt that telecom minister A Raja had cleared this amendment on September 23. DoT has also inserted a clause mandating that revenues to the government must not be impacted, when a telco moves a customer from its CDMA to GSM network or vice-versa.

In another significant change, DoT has now said if an subscriber is shifting from GSM to CDMA or vice-versa within the same service provider, then the process need not be routed through a centralised agency.

“They can set up their own database and execute the process, bypassing the centralised operator,” said sources close to the development. But as per the MNP guidelines unveiled by Mr Raja in August, all porting must be routed only through two centralised operators who will be chosen by DoT.

The norms add these centralised operators will become mobile number portability clearing house administrators (MCHAs) and will set up the number portability database (NPDB), which will have the mobile numbers of all cellular users. All service providers will have to link their networks with MCHA and NPDB.

Industry sources said dual technology players, operators who offer services on both GSM and CDMA, would be the biggest beneficiaries.

“The DoT plans to allow this facility even before the actual MNP, including all operators, is implemented. This may help CDMA players, provided they rollout their GSM platform before MNP comes into effect. Under the actual MNP, the customer can move to any operator.

However, the dual tech operators can now give their customers the flexibility to move to another technology platform even before MNP kicks off across all operators. Thus, they get to retain their subscribers who want to move to a new technology platform,” said industry sources.

Market surveys have shown that 25-50% of the mobile users in India are unhappy with their operator, and are willing to switch to another service provider if allowed to retain their number.

[HetalDP 947]

Fantastic TATAs and Reliance have Put this Issue to Govt. long ago to Restrict the Bleeding of Subscriber Base due to MNP from CDMA to GSM here Reliance and TATA can Start GSM before MNP and safe Guard the Subscriber base.

Fantastic I was waiting for MNP In fact this is the Piece of Cake We CDMA Users will get Before the Actual Cake cuts.