Full number portability: Telcos to fork out Rs 200-300 cr

Telecom service providers will have to fork out Rs 200-300 crore to upgrade their networks and install new equipment for implementation of full mobile number portability (MNP) across the country. MNP allows mobile subscribers to retain their numbers while changing their states/circles.

Earlier, full MNP was to be implemented from May 3 but the government has now extended the deadline by another two months as operators are yet to test the new software. Also, for implementation of full MNP, the current networks of operators have to be reconfigured to treat a mobile user's calls in the new circle as local and vice-versa, besides aligning their network according to the new national numbering plan.

In January 2011, MNP was started across the country. It allowed mobile users to retain their numbers while changing their service providers within a circle/state. Till now, there have been cumulative MNP requests of about 150 million at the end of February 2015, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had recently sought an extension for implementing full MNP as telecom operators have to make some technical changes to their networks due to changes in the national numbering plan. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had amended the national numbering plan, asking operators to allow their subscribers to dial mobile numbers within the same circle as well as inter-circle without any prefix. Calls can also be made using the prefix '0' and/or '+91'.

According to DoT, various telecom operators have already put in place the required hardware and software for implementation of full MNP and internal testing is on.

Detailed testing will commence soon and is likely to be completed in two months for most of the operators, according to DoT.

COAI Director-General Rajan Mathews said: "Telecom players will be able to meet the extended deadline. There might be some constraints but it looks feasible. Also, full MNP can be launched only when all the service operators, including the government ones (BSNL and MTNL), are ready."

He said telcos had invested about Rs 500 crore when MNP was first launched in 2011 and this time, the investment is to the tune of Rs 200-300 crore.

"We expect hardly two per cent of mobile users to avail this facility," said Mathews.

In a statement on Friday, DoT said it has extended the deadline for full MNP for two months. It had approved recommendations of Trai on full MNP on November 3, 2014, which was to be implemented within a period of six months.

CONNECTING INDIA

• Portability was first launched pan-India in January 2011 after many delays
   
• Cumulative MNP requests stand at 150.01 million as of February 2015
   
• Full MNP will allow mobile users to retain their numbers even after shifting to another circle/state
   
• Telcos sought an extension of two months, which was given by DoT
   
• Full MNP was to be implemented from Sunday
   
• Earlier, MNP allowed mobile users to retain their numbers while changing their service providers in the same circle

Dear readers, please share your views and opinions about these new attractive offers by BSNL via comments with us. Join us on Facebook