MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY- A SUCCESS STORY

Now here’s the news that would definitely bring a big smile on all those faces that were clouded with the irritating and random tantrums thrown up by the current service providers on the grounds of the poor service quality. Credit goes to the Telecom Authority of India who introduced a simple way to facilitate its customer to switch from one service provider to another according to their requirement “without the change of their unique 10 digits personal number , they can change the service providers according to the network range operated with in their own areas. This vital decision has not only soothed the customers but this move indeed adds another variable to India’s already competitive telecom market. Firms across the board welcomed this idea agreeing that MNP will benefit the consumers and that they too will gain from it.

Although, the concept of changing the service provider is sure to go a long way in enhancing customer satisfaction but it has also triggered up a tough competition among the service provider. Network providers are eager to lure customers from rival companies but also fearful of losing their own. The fear of losing customers is propelling them to improve their services and also throwing in freebies. . “It will enable a subscriber to exercise his or her choice and get products and services in accordance with his or her preferences.

Some companies have already started their advertising, marketing and promotional blitz to woo the customers and others have lined up new schemes, tariff rates and other aggressive marketing campaigns etc to get the maximum benefit and limit the damage of MNP. Idea was the first service provider to launch its campaign ‘’No idea –get Idea’’ and successfully attracted the attention through its effective ads followed by Vodafone’s ‘’everybody’s welcome’’ campaign. Even help-line numbers/Toll-free numbers are created to facilitate this switch over and address the queries of the customers by the major service providers.

India currently has over 700 million mobile phone users, making the network the largest in the world after China. The country has been adding 15-18 million new mobile phone connections to the network every month with about 12-14 operators, in each of the 22 circles, offering mobile services. A recent survey revealed that one in six mobile phone subscribers want to switch over. The deciding factor for the switch over would rather be quality than price.

This concept may be new to India but is quiet a familiar competitive landscape for the mobile operators in the European Union and United states. It was first launched in the year 1997 in Singapore. Global experience shows that MNP has a good track record so far and has provided in superior experience and enriched value-added offers. In India, the proposed plan was to launch MNP at the end of the year 2009 but its implementation was deferred for several times for over two years due to lack of preparations of mobile operators to appoint agency to look-over MNP execution. Finally, the department of Telecom (Dot) implemented MNP in a phased manner starting with Rohtak district in Haryana circle on 25^th November 2010 and on 20^th January 2011 it was launched all across the country covering about 700 million subscribers (GSM+CDMA). Though MNP is introduced late in India as compared to the other developing countries, it is based on the latest technology and methodology and will surely improve the quality of service.

ADVANTAGES OF MNP

· No need to get into the trouble of informing all your friends & family that you number has changed -as it stays the same. This is of great benefit to businessmen and professionals where they may have to suffer losses due to change in mobile number.

· This service is available for both postpaid as well as prepaid customers and also on both CDMA and GSM grounds.

· The charge of porting a number from one operator to another is just 19 INR and many service providers are further providing discounts/waivers on this.

· The formalities involved in MNP are quite simple as you just need to send a SMS followed by the filling up of customer application form for MNP.

· Improved quality service, good customer care support

· Likely to have decreased call tariffs

· Telecom operators are planning to give the new joiners some free gifts in the savor of free talk time, SMS packages, free calling hours and so on.

· The mobile gets inactive for a maximum of 2 hours before porting to a new mobile operator. But this range of 2 hours will be in the time range of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., thus minimizing the risk of any loss to the subscriber to the bottom most level.

· By selecting a good service provider you would get rid of the weak networks, problem of additional or hidden cost attached with the plans they offer , uncaring customer support cell, outdated network, unwanted value added service etc.

· New mobile service providers will have to do efforts to establish their feet in the market. They can shine their self just by offering attractive tariff plans with quality service to their customers.

DISADVANTAGES OF MNP

· You cannot switch from one State to other which would mean that you cannot have one number across the country. Example if your number is registered in Punjab you cannot switch to a service provider in Delhi.

· High marketing expense for the mobile service providers resulting in lower profits.

· MNP could be a headache to police department because the criminals can misuse the portability duration of 90 days.

· You may lose out all your remaining balance in your prepaid account on porting to new number.

· Once you switch your service provider you cannot switch again for the next 90 days.

· In case you make a platform shift you will have to change handsets. This means if you decide to move from CDMA-to-GSM or vice-versa, you will also have to change your handset.

· It takes 7 working days and 15 working days in Jammu and Kashmir and North east states.

The Modus Operandi

Follow these simple steps and you are ported

STEP 1: Send an SMS from your current mobile number to 1900 in the following format

PORT
e.g. PORT 9999999999

{Note: PORT is not case sensitive and do provide a space between PORT and your mobile number.}

STEP 2: You will be replied via SMS that would contain an 8 digit alphanumeric ‘’UNIQUE PORTING CODE’’ (UPC) and the expiry date of this code. Keep this code protected.

STEP 3: Now, you need to send this unique “Porting Code” to the mobile operator you wish to switch on to, via SMS. The number on which you’ll have to send the message will soon be given by all the operators through the ads or you can get that number from service providers’ website.

{Note: This ‘’PORTING CODE’’ would be valid only for few days say 15 to 30 days so you need to SMS this code to the new operator within this period only or else you need to repeat the process once again.

STEP 4: Once the new operator clarifies with the existing operator that you do not have any pending bills. If you have a clean account then your existing operator will give the approval for number porting. Any balance that you have will be lost during this transaction.

STEP 5: You will get an SMS on the time and date when porting will take place. Rules mandate that process be completed within 4 days of applying.

STEP 6: After porting is complete, wait for an SMS from your new operator confirming the switch. Your phone may be dead for about 2 hours when the porting takes place.

THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO SUMBIT

You need to submit:

Duly filled CAF form with UPC code details

Copy of valid Address and Identity proof

Copy of last bill paid to current service provider (in case of postpaid customer)

The competition is triggered let’s wait, watch and enjoy the portability. We welcome your ideas and suggestion to make this blog more informative.