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Greeting to all! This is FYI. Pan-India rollout of mobile number portability today Press Trust of India, Updated: January 20, 2011 17:03 IST New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is slated to flag off the nationwide roll-out of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) today, a move that will allow users to switch operators without losing their phone numbers and will force telecom providers to improve the quality of their services. "I think it's a great step forward for the consumer, as it enhances choice and brings in more competition, because the more efficient you are as a service provider, the more likely that consumer will choose you," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said. MNP services were first launched in Haryana in November last year. Nevertheless, companies like Idea Cellular and Vodafone started marketing their services to subscribers in other parts of the country that are looking at switching operators even before MNP services were rolled out. Idea Cellular, which started the 'No idea? Get Idea' campaign to woo the subscribers of rival telecom companies has also set up a toll-free line to assist customers looking to switch operators. More operators are expected to undertake similar activities to retain their subscribers, with competition likely to heat up following the nationwide roll-out of MNP services, with telecom companies poaching their rivals' subscribers. On tariffs, Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL) President and Chief Executive Officer Vsevolod Rozanov, which offers services under the brand MTS, said, "I think tariffs will go down further, especially, if we speak about the post-paid customer base that is where we are likely to see the average revenue per user (ARPU) going down." "In the pre-paid segment, I doubt a significant change in their tariffs or profitability," he said. However, analysts feel there might not be a huge impact on the revenues of the telecom operators. "For the first 3 to 6 months, we might see the churn going up to 6 to 7 per cent from the current levels of about 4 per cent per month. But then it will stabilise and we don't expect much impact on revenues either," Ernst & Young (E&Y) Partner and Telecom Industry Leader Prashant Singhal said. Singhal added that MNP is expected to be more of an urban phenomenon than a rural one. Operators also seem upbeat on MNP. "Overall, it's a good move for the customers. It puts the service providers on their toes and will make them focus on delivering value to the consumers, giving them the power to choose," COAI said. Agrees Aircel COO Gurdeep Singh, "We expect similar churn as normally happens. So there is no different impact (because of MNP). In fact, it's good for the subscribers." How to switch to a new operator? Mobile phone users looking to change their service provider can follow these simple steps to avail of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service. list of 1 items . Type SMS(space)mobile number to 1900 list end list of 1 items . A unique code is issued by the current service provider list end list of 1 items . Fill an application form, mention the new service provider and the unique code list end list of 1 items . The mobile connection is switched to a new network within seven days list end list of 1 items . The subscriber is charged Rs. 19 for the MNP service Now, a MNP helpline, courtsey Idea Three days ahead of the launch of Mobile Number Portability, Aditya Birla group firm Idea Cellular today started a helpline to guide over 700 million mobile users on various aspects of the service. MNP, which enables subscribers to change operator while retaining their mobile numbers, is to be rolled out across the country on January 20. "Idea's new Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 will offer all relevant information on the processes and procedures of availing MNP and porting requests from mobile subscribers who wish to switch to Idea," Idea Cellular said in a statement. The helpline is being promoted through a television ad launched recently, besides other media platforms, it added. "We realise that mobile users are awaiting MNP to switch to a network which offers seamless connectivity, superior customer service, and affordable and relevant products and services," Idea Cellular Senior Vice President (Marketing) Anupama Ahluwalia said.
