The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) seems to be tightening noose around  telcos flouting Mobile Number Portability (MNP).The first to face its ire in this process are two leading telecom firms, Bharti and Vodafone, These two companies have received show cause notices from the regulator regarding the complaints of rejecting the MNP requests from the consumers.  

The sources in TRAI  reveal  that these two firms have replied to TRAI and it might take a decision soon. They also hinted that the regulator might act against them after the complaints and their replies are properly analysed.

The insiders revealed that TRAI  had deputed a team of officials to look into the matter and on the basis of their reports TRAI  is pursuing further course of action. 

It may be recalled that TRAI  had issued directives to the telcos  in December 2010 asking them not to charge charging extra for SMSes sent to '1900', the number for availing the MNP service.

So far 893 MNP requests have been rejected by operators. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had issued a directive to all cellular  mobile telephone service providers and unified access providers on December 3, 2010, prohibiting charging extra for SMSes sent to '1900', the number for availing the MNP service.

TRAI  had issued directions to the service providers in May 24, 2011, specifying that rejection on the premise of contractual obligation can be done in case of post-paid connections with bundled handsets, or corporate connections, which have an exit clause that has not been complied with by subscribers.

MNP service was introduced in the country from November 25, 2010, that allowed cellphone users to switch operators without changing numbers.