Mobile number portability launch today

Today's the day all those frustrated with their mobile phone networks have been waiting for. They can dump their operator for a better one just for Rs 19. And yes, it's for both post-paid and pre-paid customers.

As Mobile Number Portability takes off across the country today, all you need to do is switch operators if the one you have isn't meeting your needs and standards. Of course, you can only do it within the current service area. So it doesn't really help people who are moving cities. You can't retain the number you had in Mumbai if you shift base to Delhi. But that apart, this service is sure to soothe a few frazzled nerves and help you block a lot of unwanted service calls off.

Though studies reveal that MNP will make a negligible difference to subscriber base of operators and therefore to service as a whole, it'll be worth tracking the customer enthusiasm and reaction to the much-hyped service that's finally being launched, three years late.

Today's the day all those frustrated with their mobile phone networks have been waiting for. They can dump their operator for a better one just for Rs 19. And yes, it's for both post-paid and pre-paid customers.

As Mobile Number Portability takes off across the country today, all you need to do is switch operators if the one you have isn't meeting your needs and standards. Of course, you can only do it within the current service area. So it doesn't really help people who are moving cities. You can't retain the number you had in Mumbai if you shift base to Delhi. But that apart, this service is sure to soothe a few frazzled nerves and help you block a lot of unwanted service calls off.

Though studies reveal that MNP will make a negligible difference to subscriber base of operators and therefore to service as a whole, it'll be worth tracking the customer enthusiasm and reaction to the much-hyped service that's finally being launched, three years late.

Also, analysts believe that number portability might spur a price war again and the profitability of Indian cellular service providers is likely to be squeezed.

Amit K Khire of Ambit Capital, told DNA newspaper, "We expect MNP to increase the cost structure of all the players as they will need to spend more on improving their quality of service and customer care,"

However telcos believe that users will now look for quality providers.

"Post-paid users generally have a higher standard of service and broader requirements. The operators will offer them bundles of sops and services. This might also happen for that class of prepaid subscriber that mimics the postpaid subscriber," said Rajan Mathews, director general of lobby group, the Cellular Operators Association of India or COAI in Live Mint.