Telecom regulator TRAI Wednesday started pre-consultation process for
nationwide mobile number portability services that will allow users to
retain their numbers even after they shift from one service area to
another.
At present, mobile number portability (MNP) services are
available within a service area only. With nation-wide MNP services,
mobile users can retain their numbers even if they shift from one state
to another.
" through this pre-consultation paper, the authority
is seeking views from stakeholders on various issues," TRAI said in a
statement.
The regulator has sought comments from interested
parties by March 7 on the method that should be adopted to implement
full MNP, porting of mobile number from one service area to another,
amendment required in existing regulation, among various other matters.
The
Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) said that there are two MNP
service providers at present catering to 22 service areas.
"Implementation
of full MNP would mean acceptance of porting request by the recipient
operator from a mobile number that may belong to other service area
also. Therefore, to implement full mobile number portability, issues
relating to processing of porting requests, routing, charging, testing
etc need to be identified and addressed," TRAI said.
It added that there will be a need to have connectivity between the two MNP service providers.
"Accordingly, changes will be required in the MNP process," TRAI said.
In
the existing MNP regulations the time period for completion of porting
for Jammu and Kashmir, North East and Assam is 15 working days whereas
in rest of the service areas it is seven working days.