Mobile Number Portability for India By Q4 2008
In a much awaited move, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced the introduction of “number portability” in Delhi Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai giving about 18% of the total mobile subscriber base in the country, or over 37.5 million mobile customers the option to change their operators without changing their mobile number. This move, which should come into play by the fourth quarter of 2008, is expected to increase the overall churn in the industry, forcing the mobile operators, to enhance both their service as well as their offerings. Hopefully, it would also lead to lower prices for the consumers, and give new players a better playing field.
“The average churn in the industry is 3 to 4 per cent but with portability it could go up to 8 to 10 per cent. It is bound to impact incumbents who will lose some of their high-paying customers,” said an analyst.
However, so far it has only been introduced for mobile subscribers - wonder if and when it would come in for landlines as well.
Vive la Department of Telecommunications. [Via]
Filed under: India, Mobile, News
This is very urgent with Airtel like companies
is it now in india?
Why this service is not introduced in smaller places like Eastern UP where the consumers are facing severe network problems….