What is Mobile number portability??
MNP is an options provided by telecom operators (like Bharti, Reliance , BPL etc) to its customers to change their service provider without changing their mobile number. As of now it’s not yet implemented in Indian but in many country is been existing for years and is working fine. On several occasions most of the Cellular phone service providers have opposed this move due to fear of loss of client base.
Once implemented, the user will have full control to change its service provider if he feels he can save costs or can get a better service. For people like us its going to be beneficial as we can retain our old number (which is in a form a identity for some people) and get the benefits of the new schemes which are available in the markets. Some other reasons for such a change may also be like network availability and add on services like 3-G etc.
Mobile Number portability after its implementation will be useful for consumers as :-
- No need of changing number to change a service provider
- No need to change numbers in case of inter-state relocation
- Can move to cheaper options from new operators like MTS, Aircel etc.
- Price war amongst the operators to maintain and attract new customers, which is inturn going to decrease the bill
- No loss of business due to change of number
- Freedom of choosing operators and freedom from high charges of existing operator
Although these are going to be the benefits for the customers ,as they will see a drastic reduction in telecom services prices. But major operators like Airtel, Vodafone are against the move as they fear that they will be the worst hit and lose the existing customer base which they have been serving since past almost 12 years. Operators will have following problems :-
- Reduced revenues due to competitive pricing and price war
- Reduction in customer loyalty and less long term customers
- Losing market share which they have build in a long time
Whereas the small players like Aircel, Tata, Loop are going to benefit from the same as they can now grab the customer base from other subscribers which were not able to change their numbers. This will give a boost to their top line as well as the bottom line. MNP has to be introduced first in the metro cities and Category A telecom circles by 31 Dec 2009 and in rest of the areas before 20 March 2010.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has finalised 31-Dec-09 as the deadline for implementation of MNP for the first phase and also has decided upon the maximum charges which the telecos can charge from the operators to change the service provider. The charges have been fixed to a maximum of Rs.19 per port above which no operator can charge from a customer to change the operator. Major Telecom stock like Bharti , Reliance may see some action due to this move
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear sir,
How can change my mobile operator : Idea To Airtel (Prepaid)
Circle : DELHI
Respected sir how can i change service provider without changing my number from idea to airtel plz reply me soon and I am living at allahabad(up), india
IDEA:
Network: Best in coverage, But congested network. Switching is very slow (3 Seconds to get the beep after dialing)
Tarrif: Post paid tarrif are not very attractive ( This may because to avoid the extra congestion in the network) Pre paid tarrif: Base tarrif is higher: 1.2 Paise/Sec for std/local. ISD call rate reduction only available on extra recharge, but not very attractive. Roaming tarrif is not very attractive. So tarrif wise worst.
Customer Care: Charging for customer calls. Not very responsive most probably will connect to the customer care at chennai. The customer care seems not trained properly.
Internet: GPRS is very slow. GPRS tarrif is not so attractive. NO 3G. GPRS spped is 20-45 KBPS
Free add on services: No
Vodafone:
Network: Best in coverage (No congestion so far). Switching is faster.
Tarrif: Post paid tarrif are not very attractive Pre paid tarrif: Base tarrif is higher: 1.2 Paise/Sec for std/local. ISD call rate reduction only available on extra recharge, but not very attractive. Roaming tarrif is not very attractive. So tarrif wise not so good.
Customer Care: Charging for customer calls (Even if for getting the internet settings. Promotion clarifications, (Post paid customer care centre is worst in the world. All the executives will speak like CEO of the company. . Not very responsive. The customer care seems not trained properly.
Internet:GPRS speed is average but not so fast, speed is 40-60 KBPS No 3G so far
Free add on Services:No
Airtel
Network: Little weaker when compared to voda & Idea. Not congested
Tarrif: Post paid tarrif are attractive. Pre paid tarrif: Base tarrif is higher: 1.2 Paise/Sec for std/local. ISD call rate reduction only available on extra recharge, but not very attractive. Roaming tarrif is little very attractive. So tarrif wise better
Customer Care: Charging for customer calls. Responsive. Executives are trained and will behaved in a good manner. Good customer care
Internet: GPRS is little faster. GPRS tarrifs are attractive. . GPRS speed is 60-80 KBPS
Free add on service: No
Tata Docomo
Network: Little weaker coverage but the expansion is quickly on progress.Not congested. Switching is faster
Tarrif: Post paid tarrif are attractive. Pre paid tarrif: Base tarrif is lowest: 0.66 Paise/Sec for std/local. ISD call rate reduction available without any recharge 12 paise/sec (ISD), Roaming tarrif is very attractive. So tarrif wise best in kerala
Customer Care: Not charging for customer care calls. Executives are trained and will behaved in a good manner. Best customer care in kerala
Internet: GPRS is fastest. GPRS tarrifs are attractive. . GPRS speed is 100-130 KBPS
Free add on Services: Missed call alert. Voice mail
How can change my mobile operator : Idea To Airtel (Prepaid)
Circle : DELHI
At present I have AIRTEL NUMBER. If my location is change from Chandigarh to Bhopal, Than my present number will be same or change under MNP.
i have idea number {prepaid} …..so i want to change idea network to airtel network …..how can i possible