Mobile Number Portability implementation extended to March 31, 2010

Mobile Number Portability implementation has been further extended to 31st march 2010. Extending time line for MNP implementation, the Government has now decided to implement it in whole of the country in one go, by 31st March 2010. Earlier, in the first phase, the MNP Service was likely to be implemented by today in Metro and Category 'A' Service Areas.

A series of meetings were held by Department of Telecom (DOT) with the concerned Service Providers to assess their readiness for MNP Service implementation. It was found that while some of the Access (Basic/ Mobile) and ILD Service Providers have technically upgraded and augmented their networks and some have established physical links with MNP Operators, others are still in the process. All these being the time consuming processes, the concerned Service Providers are being given time frame by DOT for various activities.

The Mobile Number Portability (MNP) shall allow subscribers to retain their existing telephone number when they switch from one access service provider to another irrespective of mobile technology or from one technology to another of the same or any other access service provider within same service area.

For the information of general public, the country has been divided in two zones and Licenses has been issued to one MNP Operator in each zone, for the purpose of MNP implementation. The MNP Operators in the two zones of the country are to provide Centralised Database, Query response and Clearing House to enable correct routing and termination of calls by Access (Basic/ Mobile) Service Providers and International Long Distance (ILD) operators post MNP implementation. The whole network in the country is to be ready and tested before the MNP Service is implemented. For this purpose, various activities are required to be carried out by the operators including technical augmentation and upgradation of their existing networks, carrying out required installation verification tests, establishing links with MNP Operators and conducting inter operator tests. After the service providers are ready with their own inter-operator test results, a complete Acceptance Test (A/T) is to be carried out by DOT across the networks of all the concerned service providers in all the service areas before MNP Service is implemented.

Source : Equity Bulls

Keywords