38 lakh opt for mobile number portability – but not all ‘switchers’ happy

Some 3.8 million (38 lakh) mobile subscribers have opted for mobile number portability (MNP) as of end-February, according to figures released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

The facility was launched in Haryana in late November and was expanded nationwide from 20 January. It allows users to retain their mobile number even if they switch carriers.

According to the numbers released by TRAI, the maximum porting has happened in Gujarat and Karnataka, with as many as 3.65 lakh and 3.18 lakh mobile users respectively changing operators. 

While the telecom regulator did not give out operator-specific numbers, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular are apparently among the companies that have gained the most.

According to industry sources, Vodafone has gained over 2 lakh subscribers as a result of MNP, followed by Idea Cellular with a net gain of 1.9 lakh users. The two operators, along with Bharti Airtel, the country's biggest mobile services provider, have advertised aggressively on MNP. Airtel is in the third spot with a net gain of over 1.5 lakh users.

''Incumbents are getting benefits due to good and improving services, huge marketing, wide area spread and other facilities. We expect that quality of service, tariff offers, customer helping services and 3G will be the key role players; in the future also, these factors will remain in the same pattern,'' said a report from Networth Capital.