Milestone achieved.
DoT (Department of Telecommunication) has finally given the green signal for Mobile Number portability (MNP). MNP will be implemented phase wise and will be first achieved in 4 metros (i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, which account for 18% of subscriber base) by Q4 ’08. MNP will be extended to more parts of the country in the next phase.
Market surveys have shown that up to 50% of all mobile users in India are unhappy with their operator, and are willing to switch to another service provider if allowed to retain their number.
Details of Mobile Number Portability
The DoT’s move is in line with the recommendations of telecom regulator Trai. DoT, in a statement, said all mobile operators, through a neutral third party, shall establish a “logically centralised database, the cost of which would be borne proportionately by the telcos.”
This implies, a telecom company that has 20% market share in the circle, will bear 20% of the cost of creating the centralised data base. All that the customer has to do is approach the recipient operator for porting the number, the DoT said.
A few numbers on GSM/CDMA ARPU
- Overall GSM ARPU stands at Rs. 297
- ARPU for post-paid GSM service stands at Rs 655
- ARPU for prepaid GSM is Rs 248
- For the CDMA segment, ARPU per month stands at Rs 206. [all data as per TRAI’s June ’07 release)
Though the move has been welcomed by CDMA operators, GSM lobby believes
“It seems that mobile number portability was being introduced to benefit a select operator that wants to enter the GSM segment and thereafter poaching on the subscribers of existing GSM players,”
Operator, in context is of course Reliance (which is planning to shake up the GSM market by slashing call rates by 30%!)
As far as GSM operators are concerned, Mobile Number Portability will significantly impact margins (as they need to keep the quality of service very very high to retain subscribers) and smaller players will obviously face the heat (more churn).
What’s your opinion? Do you foresee more backlash between GSM and CDMA operators in the near future?
Are GSM operators scared of Reliance’s entry?
Do share your opinion.
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Any idea about charges paid by users who wants to change from CDMA to GSM network maintaining the same number?
TRAI has indicated that the cost of porting your mobile number will be below/upto INR 300.
Shashank, the detail is not yet out. But as per TRAI’s recommendation, it’s a one time fee of Rs. 200
Thats Great News
It’s a great move. I have long wanted to switch operator but the daunting task of having to inform all my friends, relatives and family members of my new contact number, prevented me from doing so. As a result, all these years, I had to put up with poor quality of service despite shelling out considerable amount of money every month. But all that is set to change. The telecom department’s decision is a welcome move and will bail out many harassed consumers like me.
It will be interesting to watch the developments once the MNP comes into practice. As of now, of course the GSM operators are wary of Reliance’s entry … what with the price war that is on the cards!
hmm here is another aspect of Number portability . AFAIK number portability will be enforced across fixed line and mobile too. so biggest threat is not for Airtel ,IDEA or Vodafone. Its for MTNL,BSNL. its very likely that people will migrate their fixed lines to Mobile .
would be intrestign to see how BSNL /MTNL react to it ,
i want this change too as more than 20 days it has been my old phone was stolen but reliance could not retain my existing number on to my new cellphone better if they dont provide service i will have this chance to retain my number
http://www.sanjeevlj.co.nr
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CAN I APPLY TO SWITCH OPERATOR TODAY ONLY OR THIS SERVICE WILL TAKE A FEW MORE TIME
The service will only be available after September 2009 if there are no further impediments to this very required service.
The GSM operators are worried because its the end of their monopolistic control over the subscribers. Its not only Reliance but also Tata which is preparing to launch nation wide GSM services. Whatever the present GSM operators may say this move is certainly in the direction of better service and increased competition. Read about mobile number portability on wikipedia and you will find out that India is among the laggards in implementing this service. To that extent I think it was the GSM providers which were not allowing portability to be implemented so far.
Dear Sirs,
Regarding number portablity,
can i swhitch over from cmda to gsm service?
prabu chennai