MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY (MNP) – AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE

ABSTRACT The Indian telecom industry is one of the fastest growing in the world and is projected that India will have 'billion plus' mobile users by 2015. Projection by several leading global consultancies is that India’s telecom network will overtake China’s in the next 5 years. Amid this the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) would benefit subscribers as they will be getting improved services that too at a lesser cost. MNP allows subscribers to retain their existing mobile telephone numbers when switching from one access service provider (telecom operator) to another, irrespective of mobile technology or from one technology to another, of the same or any other access service provider. In other words, it enables the subscriber to retain his/her phone number, when switching subscription from one mobile service provider to another. This study focuses on the competitive problems and profits in implementation to the subscribers and the service providers in the Indian market and various aspects covering portability rate, charges, benefits of MNP to customers and telecom service providers, prospective effects of MNP on telecom subscribers, suggestions for telecom service providers etc. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has been introduced in many developed countries and is now being contemplated in many developing countries. The competition will intensify because of implementation of MNP and telecom service providers will be compelled to innovate their services to retain existing market share. KEYWORDS Mobile number portability, MNP by country, Problems and Profits.