The Indian government has approved the introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) from 2008, which gives cellphone users the freedom to choose their service provider while retaining their numbers.
Govt will introduce number portability in the four metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. In the next phase, it will be extended to more parts of the country.
Market surveys have shown that up to 50% of all mobile users in India are unhappy with their operator, and are willing to switch to another service provider if allowed to retain their number. Number portability has so far been introduced in Australia, Korea, Japan, Canada, the US, the UK, most of Europe and Pakistan, among other countries.
Source: Economic Times
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The portability of mobile number is great news to mobile phone users. It will provide them with the freedom to change the service provider and chose a fresh one who will offer a better service. In fact this measure will compel all the service providers to add further value to their service, thus benefitting the subscribers.