TRAI issues recommendations for number portability

It seems like TRAI is in full action this month. The latest important action taken by the telecom regulatory authority of India is related to number portability for mobile users in the country. This has been a much-awaited recommendation considering it would enable the consumers to keep their numbers while changing their mobile service provider.

TRAI Chairman Pradip Baijal presented the recommendations of TRAI on this matter. TRAI has recommended number portability on mobile phones for a one-time payment of Rs 200. If this is indeed implemented, it would bring a lot of good news for mobile users in India who find themselves incapable of changing their mobile operators just because its complicated to change the mobile number itself.

TRAI has also said that this new mechanism should be in place from April 1, 2007. They have also recommended that DoT (Department of Telecom) should make the necessary required changes in the license enabling TRAI to issue guidelines in this regard.

The recommendation from the regulatory authority said: “Considering the present status of telecom services in India, TRAI considers it an appropriate time to initiate process for implementing Mobile Number Portability so as to increase customer convenience, quality of service and further enhance competition among service providers in the mobile sector.”