What is Mobile Number Portability?
Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another.
Mobile number portability in India launched on 20th Jan 2011.
How to change your mobile operator?
1. Send a SMS to 1900 in following format:
PORT (Your Mobile Number)
e.g. PORT 9999999999
2. You will get a SMS reply that contains a unique porting code.
3. 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.
4. Your existing operator will check with new operator & if there are no dues then approval will be given for porting.
5. You will get a SMS on the time & date when porting will take place. Rules mandate that process be completed within 4 days of applying.
6. After porting is complete, wait for a SMS from your new operator confirming the switch. Your phone may be dead for about 2 hours when the porting takes place.
Points to keep in mind:
- Charge of switching to another operator is Rs. 19/- along with the application form & your documents.
- You can change operator multiple times using MNP, though there is a limitation i.e. once switched you cannot change the operator for the next 90 days.
- During disconnection from old and connecting to new operator you number will be dead between 10PM to 5AM.
- You cannot carry forward your prepaid balance to the new operator after MNP. So utilize your prepaid balance first.
- Postpaid user can apply for MNP provided all dues of old operator are cleared.
- Inter-circle portability has not been implemented yet. So you cannot switch from Maharashtra circle to Andhra Pradesh circle.
- You can switch from prepaid to postpaid and vice-versa with MNP or without MNP.
- You will need to change your SIM. Apart from number retention everything is same as getting a new connection.
- You can switch from CDMA to GSM through MNP.
Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another.
Mobile number portability in India launched on 20th Jan 2011.
How to change your mobile operator?
1. Send a SMS to 1900 in following format:
PORT (Your Mobile Number)
e.g. PORT 9999999999
2. You will get a SMS reply that contains a unique porting code.
3. 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.
4. Your existing operator will check with new operator & if there are no dues then approval will be given for porting.
5. You will get a SMS on the time & date when porting will take place. Rules mandate that process be completed within 4 days of applying.
6. After porting is complete, wait for a SMS from your new operator confirming the switch. Your phone may be dead for about 2 hours when the porting takes place.
Points to keep in mind:
- Charge of switching to another operator is Rs. 19/- along with the application form & your documents.
- You can change operator multiple times using MNP, though there is a limitation i.e. once switched you cannot change the operator for the next 90 days.
- During disconnection from old and connecting to new operator you number will be dead between 10PM to 5AM.
- You cannot carry forward your prepaid balance to the new operator after MNP. So utilize your prepaid balance first.
- Postpaid user can apply for MNP provided all dues of old operator are cleared.
- Inter-circle portability has not been implemented yet. So you cannot switch from Maharashtra circle to Andhra Pradesh circle.
- You can switch from prepaid to postpaid and vice-versa with MNP or without MNP.
- You will need to change your SIM. Apart from number retention everything is same as getting a new connection.
- You can switch from CDMA to GSM through MNP.
