The Prime Minister flags off the nation-wide roll out of Mobile Number Portability on Thursday. But are you still wondering how to access it? Here's all you need to know.
Q. What is MNP?
MNP allows users to retain their mobile telephone numbers even if they switch operators. Once the switching begins, it will also force telecom providers to improve the quality of their services
Mobile Number Portability is finally here!
Q. How can I avail MNP?
Follow 6 simple steps.
Step 1: Send an SMS to 1900 in this format: PORT
Step 2: You receive an SMS that contains a unique porting code
Step 3: SMS this unique code to your preferred operator.
(Note: This code is valid only for a few days. You will have to re-apply if it expires)
Step 4: Your current operator will contact your new operator. If there are no dues, you will be granted approval
Step 5: You will get an SMS stating the time and date that porting will take place
(Remember, the rulebook says the process should be completed within 7 working days of applying except in J&K, Assam and North-east areas, where it will take 15 working days)
Step 6: After porting is done, await a confirmation SMS from your new operator
(Your phone could be unavailable for about 2 hours when porting occurs)
Q. How much would it cost me?
The cost of porting a number to a new operator is only Rs 19.
Asia Pacific
Country | Implementation date yyyy.mm.dd | Time to port days | Price | Short notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2001.09.25 | 1 | free | Previously prefixes 04x1, 04x2, 04x3 referred to Optus 04x4, 04x5 and 04x6 referred to Vodafone 043x, referred to Vodafone Hutchison Australia formally known as Hutchison 3G Australia. 04x7, 04x8, 04x9 and 0410x referred to Telstra | [4] |
| Hong Kong | 1999.03.01 | 2 | free | Service handled by Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA). In the network, you may be charged unexpectedly for a call to a mobile that has been ported form a different network. | [5][6][7] |
| India | 2011.01.20 | 7 | INR 19 | Customers can port between prepay and post pay options. The master database will be managed by a third party firm. For zone I, Syniverse has been appointed with the MNP and related issues while for zone II, it is Telcordia. | |
| Malaysia | 2008.10.?? | 1 | free | 1 day is a minimum time necessary for porting | [8][9][10][11] |
| Pakistan | 2007.03.23 | 4 | Customers can port between prepay and post pay options. On port-In, the Donor company provides, free balance and on-net free minutes. Service handled by Pakistan MNP Database (Guarantee) Limited[12] | ||
| Singapore | 2008.06.13 | Customers are not able to port between prepay and post pay options. Vendor for database installation is Syniverse Technologies | [13] | ||
| Taiwan | 2005.10.?? | ||||
| Thailand | 2010.12.15 | 3 | THB 99 | Number Portability Clearinghouse service is handled by Telcordia Technologies. 3 days can be just working days. |
