TRAI Extends Deadline To Implement Revamped Mobile Portability Norms

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has extended the deadline for implementation of new mobile number portability rules to Nov. 11.

The revamped MNP or port out rules aim to makes the entire process faster and simpler, and TRAI has prescribed two days timeline for port out requests within a service area, cutting the migration process from seven days. MNP is an option for consumers wanting to switch to a new operator without changing their mobile number.

The deadline for implementation of MNP Regulations, which was earlier slated to come into effect from Sept. 30, was extended after the telecom operators and MNP Service Providers sought more time to perform testing before migration to the new process, in order to ensure that subscribers are not inconvenienced.

"According to the responses provided by telecom service providers, MNPSPs and Telecom Department; the authority has extended the timeline for implementation of Mobile Number Portability Regulations, from Sept. 30, 2019 to Nov. 11, 2019," TRAI said in a statement.

"As per the discussions taken place during the meetings with MNPSPs and TSPs, it was suggested that robust testing should be performed before migration to the new process so that the subscribers are not inconvenienced later for any system related issues," the sectoral watchdog said.

The industry informed TRAI that they still have to offer the 'acceptance testing' to the Department of Telecommunications in some of the service areas and added that additional time of two weeks is needed for robust internal and Inter-Operator Testing and another 2-3 weeks for the testing to be carried out by respective Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring cells of the department.

"Further, an email received from TERM Cell, DoT Maharashtra had indicated paucity of time to complete the testing before the Sept. 30, 2019," it said.