Mobile Number Portability (MNP) that enables subscribers to keep the same number while switching service providers is finally set to enter India.

The DoT has informed that countrywide MNP will be rolled out from November 25 starting with Haryana service area.

The move follows, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology earlier announcing that Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will be made available to the telephone users from November 1, 2010.

The DoT has now said that the networks are now technically ready for launch of service. To facilitate an orderly and reliable introduction of MNP services, a suitable migration plan has been evolved in consultation with Mobile Service Providers (MSPs).

DoT now announces that the countrywide launch of MNP services will start from Haryana Licensed Service Area on November 25, 2010. 

Subscribers wishing to exercise the option of changing their service provider without change of number will have to send an SMS from their phone to 1900. Based on this they will get a unique porting code as SMS from the existing service provider.  The customer can then make an application in the prescribed form mentioning the code to the selected new service provider for porting of number.  A period of 4 days has been prescribed for completion of porting (transfer) of the mobile number to the network of the new service provider.

Accordingly, MNP service in rest of the service areas across the country will be implemented after the launch in Haryana in a phased manner.  A detailed schedule for other service areas will be announced separately.