MNP from Mar 31

Number portability from Mar 31

As all telcos in metros and A’ circles are notified by DoT to support mobile number portability (MNP) by December 31, 2009 for phase I, it has now forced the DoT to introduce MNP across the country in one go on March 31, 2010.

“The government has now decided to implement it in whole of the country in one go, by March 31, 2010,” said DoT.

According to the Department of Telecom, after a series of meetings with the mobile operators to assess their readiness for MNP implementation, it was found that while some have technically upgraded and augmented their networks and some have established physical links with MNP operators, others are still in the process.

It can be stressed here that MNP implementation and 3G spectrum auctioning had been delayed. It is a mismanagement of the the communications ministry in being unable to execute originally announced schedules related to these issues.