Mobile Number Portability (India)

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

After a long wait and numerous missed deadlines, mobile number portability (MNP) is finally here. Set for a nationwide roll-out today, MNP will usher in an era of new freedom for mobile subscribers in the country. The technology will allow subscribers to change their mobile service provider without the fear of losing their old mobile number.

This means users will be able to retain their old mobile number even after they decide to change their service provider. And yes, the service is available for both postpaid and prepaid customers.


Here?s all about how MNP works in six simple steps.

--> Send an SMS to 1900 in following format: PORT - eg. PORT 9999999999.
--> You will get an SMS reply that contains a unique porting code.
--> SMS to the preferred operator quoting the unique code. This code is valid only for a few days, and one must apply again if it expires
--> Your existing operator will check with new operator & if there are no dues then approval will be given for porting.
--> You will get an SMS on the time and date when porting will take place. Rules mandate that process be completed within 4 days of applying
--> After porting is complete, wait for an SMS from your new operator confirming the switch. Your phone may be dead for about 2 hours when the porting takes place.

 

[Dipak]

yeah, i saw a few advertisements of Idea regarding this. This looks nice, especially for the people who wanna change their operator.

 

[AbhishekS]

I don't think this deserves a separate thread.
And for the poll, I am not very sure. It may just force me to go to AirTel, but Vodafone's SMS plans are cool, so I am still confused.

 

[Chewie]

You should really post your source when you copy articles directly

6 To-dos of mobile number portability- The Times of India

 

[AngryPixel]

I don't think this deserves a separate thread.
And for the poll, I am not very sure. It may just force me to go to AirTel, but Vodafone's SMS plans are cool, so I am still confused.

I'll stay with Videocon unless some other company has a better internet plan. I like to have net on my phone 24 X 7 and videocon gives unlimited internet for Rs 96 only for a month. That is roughly just $2/month. Airtel,Vodafone etc have internet plans too but they are costlier than this and have a 2GB limit.

 

[Abhas]

Till you get 3G, I can't see how you can consume 2 GB in a month. I'm using the Airtel 2GB plan, which costs me Rs 98 /month and hardly use 300 mb in the whole month. I have 6 mailboxes configured, with attachments fully downloading on the phone, havn't switched on wifi since 2 months, and use net on the phone for a variety of work, and fun related things.

I've even used the phone as a wifi router and connected my laptop to that connection (obviously, nothing worked at those pathetic speeds).

 

[AbhishekS]

Even I am connected to the internet 24x7 via my phone and Vodafone offers 1GB data transfer per month for Rs. 98. To be honest, 1GB for mobile is enough if you don't surf much videos.

I am shifting to AirTel and will be getting a no limit GPRS plan for Rs. 99, and that is not bad at all.

I am switching for the reason that I'll be getting a VIP AirTel plan through my dad. The call rates will be 1p per 6 seconds and unlimited messages just for a monthly rental of Rs. 48 per month.

 

[Chewie]

Slightly off topic, but you get 1GB for the equivalent of NZ$3 a month. I pay NZ$6 for 50MB a month >.<

 

[riz7khan12]

Slightly off topic, but you get 1GB for the equivalent of NZ$3 a month. I pay NZ$6 for 50MB a month >.<

you know how the economy works , there's really just the two companies here so they can charge whatever they like.

 

[Abhas]

Besides, your speeds are much higher. They are on 3G network and equivalent to the broadband speeds. I pay about A$8 per month for 500 mb data.
Here, it is just not possible to watch a video on the GPRS plans.

And, mobile telephony is dirt cheap in India. 1 min call in Australia costs about a dollar. I can make 50 calls here in India using that dollar.

 

[Pranav]

Till you get 3G, I can't see how you can consume 2 GB in a month. I'm using the Airtel 2GB plan, which costs me Rs 98 /month and hardly use 300 mb in the whole month.

I use the same plan as well and don't even manage to cross the 300MB mark. Probably because I am connected to the wifi whenever I am at home or at university. The only time I use that connection is when I am on the move.

It isn't that bad for basic surfing. I tested it out on speedtest.net and if I remember correctly, it was around 250kbps. Though, it's ridiculously slow while streaming of videos, downloading applications from the Android Market and while loading heavier sites.

 

[AngryPixel]

Its what works in hostel and i've downloaded 22gb in a month
I had my laptop plugged in so its stayed on for 24X7 and have a spare phone now(N70) That works as my modem. I used to get download speed near 15-20 Kb/s in day and 30-40 Kb/s at night. Thats better than nothing. Still nothing compare to the broadband at home

 

[AbhishekS]

I have a sim card of MTNL 3G and I use it sometimes. Watching videos in it is fun, very few lags, that too very rarely. But the signal during the calls is pretty bad. I would have opted for it if the signal were good.

Hopefully either Vodafone or AirTel will launch 3G soon. Any ideas to anyone when will they be launching it?

Vodafone India (@VodafoneIN) tweeted me some days back that they'll be starting it by the end of March, but I cannot wait till then.

Expecting AirTel to launch it before 15th February, at least that is what they say.

 

[icyman]

It does not help much. Transfers of numbers between states are still not permitted.
Likewise, I'd be moving from Karnataka to Maharashtra,back home in a couple of months time. The number portability will not be applicable to me.

 

[puneet28]

I will switch to Idea from Tata Docomo One I get my talktime finish... Tata docomo has bad network