Mobile Number Portability: Will you switch operators?

travelwriter · 23rd April 2009, 10:19

Number portability is still some time away before it reaches us. The Govt has only finalised the vendor to manage this. It is a huge task and cannot be done in a couple of months. Then there will be issues of 'operator preparedness' and others stalling the launch.

I do not feel there is any point in changing operators just because of this feature. Like in Singapore and Hong Kong, we will also see a huge rush from people to change their service providers and I see the figure at around 8%-10% of the overall user size. But this will settle down in a year and people will stop switching as they will see no difference in the service levels. But the advent of new operators will make it really interesting.

I, for one will switch. From a mobile user to a mobile non user as soon as possible.

Firebird · 23rd April 2009, 10:21

I am a happy customer since INA MAXTOUCH age...then to Orange...then to Hutch...and now on Vodafone..

I dont think I will ever change to any other operator however good the scheme may be...

Sahil · 23rd April 2009, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in India is around the corner. It will first be implemented in the four metros and the rest will follow. .

It has been "around the corner" for a whiiiiiiiiile now ! When will it actually begin operations?!

I would not shift my Vodafone account, purely because of their splendid customer care. We have a Relationship Manager appointed to us, makes life so much easier. Even without it, the helpdesk is well trained and prompt.

The network could be better but other GSM providers have their own set of network issues too.

Only thing I am looking forward to with the MNP is stiffer competition = Customer benifits !

Eddy · 23rd April 2009, 10:36

Guys, I can say for sure that the govt is pushing the operators to implement it Pan India by next year.

However, the operators are not prepared yet and hence are trying to delay as much as possible. However, in the background the work has already begun.

arin_12 · 24th November 2009, 12:27

Tired of Vadofone or BSNL. Change your Service provider at just 19 Rs.

Should be a good rule and make the mobile networks behave better – both connectivity wise as well as customer service wise.
Change from Vodafone to Airtel to Docomo to Idea and keep your phone number same.

The full article.

TRAI fixes Rs 19 as portability fee to change mobile operators- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

Note from Team BHP Support
Thread merged. Please search before creating a new thread.
Thanks

Fordmanchau · 24th November 2009, 12:34

Ir ead the news 2 days back and should say that I have been waiting for this to happen. I have the same number since last 5 years and it's a Vodafone. They charges are on a higher side w.r.t other operators particularly the data plan that they have. I have been planning to shift since a long time but the thought of changing my number has stopped me till now. But come 1st january 2010, I am definitely heading to either Idea or Docomo for a change in my plan. Thanks TRAI and for 19 bucks, the saving is huge.

anupam00 · 24th November 2009, 12:35

This would definately help as there would be number of users who would require to switch from existing mobile operator to the new one due to various reasons so in a nut shell this is good, the otherside would be old players like airtel,vodafone might loose good % of customer initially but at the end there would be one the service provider who deliver quality & cost would remain as a winner.

We might see mergers & acquitions in mobile service providers in coming years.

beejay · 24th November 2009, 12:53

Number Portability should be functional from Jan 2010. There was feature in last weeks Hindu about the same.

I am waiting eagerly for the same. A few queries,
I have a Bangalore Airtel number that I have been hanging for life now, its a number that I do not want to miss and I have held it for more than a year now on roaming.

Considering portability is through, can I retain the same number with Airtel Tamilnadu.
Means all 10 digits or will they only offer last 5 digits with the prefix of Tamilnadu Airtel sequence.

Fex: The number is 97##353535, will I get to have the same number or will they ive me 9894453535?
98944 is Tamilnadu Airtel.

Any clue how this works?

nairrk · 24th November 2009, 13:06

I have been using Airtel since last few years

all my contacts have my mobile number and changing the number will have
problem.

So I will not change, unless something wrong with present set up !

Thanks

simplythebest · 24th November 2009, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by nairrk

I have been using Airtel since last few years

all my contacts have my mobile number and changing the number will have
problem.

So I will not change, unless something wrong with present set up !

Thanks

Thats the whole point of number portability. You can change the operator and still keep your old number.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beejay

Number Portability should be functional from Jan 2010. There was feature in last weeks Hindu about the same.

I am waiting eagerly for the same. A few queries,
I have a Bangalore Airtel number that I have been hanging for life now, its a number that I do not want to miss and I have held it for more than a year now on roaming.

Considering portability is through, can I retain the same number with Airtel Tamilnadu.
Means all 10 digits or will they only offer last 5 digits with the prefix of Tamilnadu Airtel sequence.

Fex: The number is 97##353535, will I get to have the same number or will they ive me 9894453535?
98944 is Tamilnadu Airtel.

Any clue how this works?

Both the prefix and suffix will change. Otherwise someone else who had 98944 53535 in your example will lose out.

However you can only change with the state/circle.

But I'm sure that in the future they will allow us to change states as well (for a fee ofcourse

). That would be cool for people who are transferred etc.

kcnetid · 24th November 2009, 13:30

From airtel to probably docomo or aircel.
Airtel had 1st calls service a few years back and I stuck with it even if the rates were higher. It has become absolutely terrible in Hyd over the last 2-3 yrs. The call drops are so frequent that I almost use it as a pager. I have almost 50%-60% call drops. i.e. more than every alternate call drops. The less said about quality of reception, the better. I use the landline to call back.

Apparently Tata has the least congested network but I have had pretty bad experiences with Tata WILL and am wary of that brand. At one time, I really looked to buy Tata stuff.
Ironic that once the best brand in India is now a 'me too' in almost all fields - telecom, vehicles, retail, ....

v-drive · 24th November 2009, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by beejay

N

Fex: The number is 97##353535, will I get to have the same number or will they ive me 9894453535?
98944 is Tamilnadu Airtel.

Any clue how this works?

@Beejay Number portability should technically allow you to retain the same number, however, we will have to wait and see the guidelines which come out, as India has this peculiar case of "circles" where the same company need to follow govt guidelines and keep the business separate even in the neighboring states. The NP licenses given out are on basis of zones, so IMHO, at least in a zone you should be able to retain a number.

@bubby - NP is trying to resolve that problem in a manner. If you are using a number for many years, and your switching to a different number is detrimental to your business or social cause, you can pay 19 Rs and switch to a different operator while retaining the same number.

I am with Airtel for the last 6 years, but don't see a point in switching, as the roaming is good with airtel and the network is the widest in GSM , next only to BSNL.
All the new entrants are going to focus on big cities, and if you travel, you will not get the coverage.

clevermax · 24th November 2009, 13:38

I am waiting for that day when I can switch my numbers from the worst service provider in Kerala - Not naming them, but they operate here on the 1800 Mhz range and network coverage indoors is pathetic.

14000rpm · 24th November 2009, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by clevermax

I am waiting for that day when I can switch my numbers from the worst service provider in Kerala - Not naming them, but they operate here on the 1800 Mhz range and network coverage indoors is pathetic.

I'm yet to decide coz that's when each service provider will be jumping over each other for customer retention.

Raccoon · 24th November 2009, 15:00

I'm on Idea as my primary number, and not keen to change as the network and service is relatively the best amongst all the other operators I have tried. Airtel being the worst in all ways. But my problem is they aren't allowing the use of any value vouchers on my plan, so I still have to pay Re. 1 and 1.5 for local and STD respectively. Currently managing by using my other secondary phone (Airtel), but I hate carrying 2 phones...

View Poll Results: MNP: Will you switch operators ?
Yes, I will definitely switch. I think there is a better service provider available in the market.	175	37.47%
Nopes, I am happy with my mobile operator so won't switch.	108	23.13%
No, I will not switch. I am not happy with my operator but I know the others are equally bad.	92	19.70%
Not Sure: Will wait and watch.	92	19.70%
Voters: 467. You may not vote on this poll

23rd April 2009, 10:19	#31
travelwriter BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 294 Thanked: 115 Times	Number portability is still some time away before it reaches us. The Govt has only finalised the vendor to manage this. It is a huge task and cannot be done in a couple of months. Then there will be issues of 'operator preparedness' and others stalling the launch. I do not feel there is any point in changing operators just because of this feature. Like in Singapore and Hong Kong, we will also see a huge rush from people to change their service providers and I see the figure at around 8%-10% of the overall user size. But this will settle down in a year and people will stop switching as they will see no difference in the service levels. But the advent of new operators will make it really interesting. I, for one will switch. From a mobile user to a mobile non user as soon as possible.
	() Thanks

23rd April 2009, 10:21	#32
Firebird BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai / EC1M 3NH Posts: 470 Thanked: 65 Times View My Garage	I am a happy customer since INA MAXTOUCH age...then to Orange...then to Hutch...and now on Vodafone.. I dont think I will ever change to any other operator however good the scheme may be...
	() Thanks

23rd April 2009, 10:36	#34
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,388 Thanked: 13,303 Times	Guys, I can say for sure that the govt is pushing the operators to implement it Pan India by next year. However, the operators are not prepared yet and hence are trying to delay as much as possible. However, in the background the work has already begun.
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 12:27	#35
arin_12 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 627 Thanked: 84 Times View My Garage	Mobile No Portability. Will it help ? Tired of Vadofone or BSNL. Change your Service provider at just 19 Rs. Should be a good rule and make the mobile networks behave better – both connectivity wise as well as customer service wise. Change from Vodafone to Airtel to Docomo to Idea and keep your phone number same. The full article. TRAI fixes Rs 19 as portability fee to change mobile operators- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times Note from Team BHP Support Thread merged. Please search before creating a new thread. Thanks Last edited by bblost : 24th November 2009 at 12:40.
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 12:34	#36
Fordmanchau Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,666 Thanked: 340 Times	Ir ead the news 2 days back and should say that I have been waiting for this to happen. I have the same number since last 5 years and it's a Vodafone. They charges are on a higher side w.r.t other operators particularly the data plan that they have. I have been planning to shift since a long time but the thought of changing my number has stopped me till now. But come 1st january 2010, I am definitely heading to either Idea or Docomo for a change in my plan. Thanks TRAI and for 19 bucks, the saving is huge.
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 12:35	#37
anupam00 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NOIDA Posts: 218 Thanked: 425 Times	This would definately help as there would be number of users who would require to switch from existing mobile operator to the new one due to various reasons so in a nut shell this is good, the otherside would be old players like airtel,vodafone might loose good % of customer initially but at the end there would be one the service provider who deliver quality & cost would remain as a winner. We might see mergers & acquitions in mobile service providers in coming years.
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 12:53	#38
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,963 Thanked: 204 Times View My Garage	Number Portability should be functional from Jan 2010. There was feature in last weeks Hindu about the same. I am waiting eagerly for the same. A few queries, I have a Bangalore Airtel number that I have been hanging for life now, its a number that I do not want to miss and I have held it for more than a year now on roaming. Considering portability is through, can I retain the same number with Airtel Tamilnadu. Means all 10 digits or will they only offer last 5 digits with the prefix of Tamilnadu Airtel sequence. Fex: The number is 97##353535, will I get to have the same number or will they ive me 9894453535? 98944 is Tamilnadu Airtel. Any clue how this works?
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 13:06	#39
nairrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kannur Posts: 2,441 Thanked: 674 Times View My Garage	I have been using Airtel since last few years all my contacts have my mobile number and changing the number will have problem. So I will not change, unless something wrong with present set up ! Thanks
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 13:30	#41
kcnetid BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 89 Thanked: 11 Times	From airtel to probably docomo or aircel. Airtel had 1st calls service a few years back and I stuck with it even if the rates were higher. It has become absolutely terrible in Hyd over the last 2-3 yrs. The call drops are so frequent that I almost use it as a pager. I have almost 50%-60% call drops. i.e. more than every alternate call drops. The less said about quality of reception, the better. I use the landline to call back. Apparently Tata has the least congested network but I have had pretty bad experiences with Tata WILL and am wary of that brand. At one time, I really looked to buy Tata stuff. Ironic that once the best brand in India is now a 'me too' in almost all fields - telecom, vehicles, retail, ....
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 13:38	#43
clevermax Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tvm/Amsterdam Posts: 2,086 Thanked: 2,640 Times View My Garage	I am waiting for that day when I can switch my numbers from the worst service provider in Kerala - Not naming them, but they operate here on the 1800 Mhz range and network coverage indoors is pathetic.
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 15:00	#45
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	I'm on Idea as my primary number, and not keen to change as the network and service is relatively the best amongst all the other operators I have tried. Airtel being the worst in all ways. But my problem is they aren't allowing the use of any value vouchers on my plan, so I still have to pay Re. 1 and 1.5 for local and STD respectively. Currently managing by using my other secondary phone (Airtel), but I hate carrying 2 phones...
	() Thanks