We almost knew we would be reporting this - Mobile Number Portability (MNP) - the service which would enable subscribers to retain their old number while switching to new mobile operators, has been delayed yet again, but this time it is not that far. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said today that MNP will commence roll out from November 25, instead of November 1, as was previously scheduled. This is a phased rollout and will start with the Haryana circle. Other circles will gradually get MNP. According to the DoT, India has a mobile subscriber base of a humungous 650 million and that involves logistics at an astronomical scale a reason supposed to be the cause of the frequent delay in implementation of MNP. DoT statement stated, Hence, it is necessary to carefully test the capability of the networks of all operators and extend the facility in a suitably phased manner to all service areas.
MNP deadline had previously been set to December 31, 2009, then to March 31, 2010 and later to June 30, 2010. But time and again, it was found that the operators were not ready with the proper infrastructure to support this facility. Then it was BSNL, who finally said that it was ready with the infrastructure so that MNP could be rolled out on November 1, 2010. But yet again, this service has been postponed by a little over three weeks. Let us hope that it will not be delayed beyond November 25, 2010.
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