Implementation of mobile number portability pushed to 2009-end
03 Sep 2009
The government has extended the implementation of first phase of the mobile number portability (MNP) in metro and category `A' service area to 31 December 2009.
The service is likely to be available in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu - including Karnataka and Chennai service areas - by end-2009, an official release said today.
The Department of Telecommunication (DOT) said the date of implementation has been extended in view of the time and efforts required to customise and upgrade the existing networks for enabling them to provide MNP service.
Moreover, certain technical and commercial issues relating to MNP service are also to be resolved, the release said.
The news follows earlier report that state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) was gearing up to start mobile number portability (MNP) as soon as the Telecom Regulatory Authority issues the new tariff structure.
BSNL was reported to have gone ahead with the implementation of MNP in a bid to attract subscribers of rival companies.
