With Union Communications and Information Technology Minister A. Raja clearing the file related to “mobile number portability” (MNP) on Wednesday, mobile phone users would soon be able to change their telecom operator without changing their phone number.

According to sources in the Ministry, Mr. Raja has cleared the file that allows MNP between operators using either GSM or CDMA technologies. However, the Minister has reportedly asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to look into issues like operational technicalities and revenue loss to the government, if any, in this matter.

Last year, Mr. Raja had announced plans to implement MNP. Subsequently, in April this year, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had sent its recommendations to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for nationwide implementation of MNP, a move that would push operators to provide quality services to retain their subscribers. MNP is likely to be rolled out across India in a phased manner, starting from Delhi and Mumbai circles in mid-2009.

In its recommendations, TRAI has asked for licensing of ‘Mobile Number Portability Clearing House Administrator’ (MCHA) through a competitive bidding process. It has said that in the case of pre-paid mobile, subscribers transferring the mobile number with some balance amount, no credit transfer would be allowed to the new account.

“For MNP implementation in India, the neutral third party should own and operate MNP clearing house and logically 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 said.

Despite opposition from companies, particularly GSM operators, Mr. Raja has approved the scheme that would force cellular operators to offer better services in order to keep the churn rate low.

Source: Hindu