Mobile number portability in India delayed once again

Mobile number portability in India delayed once again

Indian department of telecommunications has disappointing news for the mobile users in the country.

They have delayed the implementation of mobile number portability once again.

It was set to launch later this month. However, it would not be available till the end of the current year.

DoT said in its statement: “The implementation of first phase of the mobile number portability, in metro and category A service area has been extended to 31 December 2009. The department of telecommunication has extended the date of implementation in view of time and efforts required to customise and upgrade the existing networks for enabling them to provide MNP service. Moreover certain technical and commercial issues relating to MNP service are also to be resolved.”

While it is pretty clear that older mobile service providers are not going to like number portability… we are not sure why the implementation is being delayed repeatedly. The launch is expected to be a mess anyways. Mobile companies are likely to be unfriendly if they are going to lose a customer to some rival.