"Nature and signature doesn't change easily."
-- Oriental saying.
Today even your contact (mobile) number will not change. Yes, it will remain the same till you want; it doesn't matter which telecom service you are using.
Earlier, if you were dissatisfied it was very difficult to change your telecom service. The reason being, if you change your service your number changes and a lengthy process starts all over again i.e. to inform all those people who had your earlier number, by a way of messages, e-mails, calls, etc. This not only irritates us, but sometimes causes difficulty to all our friends, colleagues, family etc.
This joint step of the telecom operators, allows us to keep our mobile number same even if we switch between any of the services. If the rates are nominal it'll be a bonus for all the users. And if it's for free, it becomes a win-win situation for us. Overall it's awaited by everyone that this implementation should happen as soon as possible.
Vikash Kumar Singh
Mobile number portability will increase the existing competition among the telecom service providers and hence the increasing competition among them will certainly benefit the customers in various ways.
To make it more clear to understand let's take it this way - Mobile no. portability will give the consumers the freedom to be able to switch the service provider as and when they feel like. And no service provider can afford to let its consumer go to someone else. So, in order to stop such things from occurring they will try to provide the best of their services to their customers. The telecom operators will exhaust all their resources to compete with each other in the market so that they can attract more customers and retain them. If this doesn't happen then customers obviously will not stick to one particular operator.
Therefore, it's time for us to cheer as we are going to enjoy better and cheaper services from our respective telecom operators in the days to come. The customer will also be able to enjoy various value added services on their phone at a cheaper price. Telecom service providers would be bound to provide all kinds of services more efficiently.
Then the issues like weak network signals, static sound while talking, busy network etc will be taken care of very seriously. And services like GPRS, MMS, Voicemail will also be within the reach of the common man due to the high charges.
Ram Awtar Yadav
Mobile phone users across India will benefit from the introduction of mobile number portability. Mobile number portability allows mobile phone users to change phone companies and keep their phone number. Until now a change of phone company meant getting a new number. The introduction of mobile number portability provides more options for existing users and will benefit all consumers-residential or business-interested in changing mobile service providers.
The main benefit of mobile number portability is freedom of choice. You are free to choose a new mobile service provider without losing your existing number. If you are not satisfied with your existing provider, you don't have to stay just to keep your number. If you are in business, keeping your number when changing phone companies means you will avoid missing calls, reprinting stationery and having any signage redone. For individuals it means avoiding the inconvenience of having to notify friends and associates that you've changed your number.
The benefits will be felt most by the small business community who rely heavily on the use of mobiles for business and marketing their services. Without number portability, the cost of changing mobile service providers outweighed the benefits for many mobile users, particularly small businesses who faced the costs of changing signage, stationery, and advertising.
Without mobile number portability changing mobile numbers can cost an average small business thousands of rupees and also result in substantial loss of business. Mobile number portability empowers consumers and provides choice and flexibility. India will now have one of the world's fastest and most flexible porting processes and one that is affordable, efficient and easy for consumers to use.
Prakash Shrivastava
Mobile phones are extensively used by each and everyone and it is regarded as an expensive gadget. Ever since the Reliance India Mobile was launched in 2002 there has been a tough competition in the telecom sector. To add more a number of other private companies propped up to make the market extremely competitive. Almost every business tycoon has a private telecom company.
From January 2010 the mobile phone users are going to get the benefit of " Mobile Portability". This means that the customers can take the services of another telecom company without changing his original number. For example he can switch over to Docomo from Airtel and the Airtel will charge him only Rs 19 transferring all his data to the company he switches over to. The increased competition in the market due to the fear of losing the existing customers will force the operators to improve their services and lower the price of the additional services they provide.
Anshu Agrawal
I am afraid the mobile number portability facility will be of real benefit to users. Mobile number portability definitely expands the scope of service agencies and choices to the consumer but it is potentially dangerous with every possibility of this advanced technology being misused by criminals and other mischievous elements for ulterior motives The frequent change in the service agency may make identification of the consumers with criminal background or his/her propensity to crime problematic.
In these days of technological advancement facilities like mobile number portability may become handy for the persons with criminal temperament to play hide and seek with security agencies groping in the dark in detecting and solving the conspiracies and coolly planned crimes with unprecedented hazardous consequences.
In fact general consumers go in for a change in the mobile number portability facility for better service only. In today's competitive cell industry I do not think any service agency can afford to ignore consumer and service efficiency. This reduces the common user's demand for a highly advanced mobile portability facility because if there is almost equal service efficiency in all the service agencies there is no need at all to go in for a change, but for fancy.
In this backdrop the demand for mobile portability facility would thus be more in that segment of consumers who are not just consumers alone but also conspirators and trickies and are always on the look out for some or the other adventure- may be for fun or may be for accomplishing a criminal act, notwithstanding its level, size and impact.
This write-up may seem heavily laden with pessimism but the reality is no less or no more than that. Mobile number portability facility is no doubt a technological advancement but may only prove in the long run a Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
Krishna Chander Mouli
Recently one of my friends who is using a mobile number from different telecom service provider than mine said that her service provider will only charge 50 paise a minute even on roaming for both outgoing and incoming calls. I was surprised to hear that. I wanted to have that facility on my number as I have to keep on traveling for some reason or the other. But, unfortunately I could not avail that facility as my mobile number is from a different telecom operator. So, I helplessly just kept thinking about it as I neither could afford to buy a new a new mobile phone to use another sim card nor could I change my current no. as I've been using this number for around last five years and for many other reasons.
But, after 4-5 days of the incident I heard about the mobile no. portability law which would be implemented from January, 2010 and I felt quite relaxed and said to myself that now I'll very easily switch to that telecom network operator that my friend was talking about without having my current contact number changed and avail that roaming scheme. That certainly will help me to save a lot of money while I am on roaming. And this system of mobile number portability will of course benefit many other mobile users like me in several ways.
The system will also encourage the existing telecom network operators to better their services for their customers so that they can satisfy the needs of their existing customer base and ensure that their association with each other lasts longer.
Nidhi Modi
Mobile, the latest tool in the hands of every Tom, Dick and Harry, is helpful as well as may turn a monster too sometimes. Helpful in the sense that wherever one may be, one can just select his/her pal's number and have a chat, genuine or otherwise. Yes, it has reduced distance drastically. With fast changing modes of convertibility, the idea of number portability too was anticipated and if introduced it would undoubtedly benefit the users. After all, what keeps the mobile moving is a tiny part called the Sim and if this can be transferred from place to place, the same way one transfers the LPG connection anywhere in India, where the brand outlets are available, and then what is the problem. But, the problem lies when Mobile companies are mushrooming, coming up with lots of offers/incentives to consumers. At present a mobile war is on the ground between various companies to attract more and more consumers by offering all sorts of end use benefits.
Ads like `What an Idea Sir ji' whereby the Idea chit chat has virtually grabbed a good number of consumers, the latest Vodafone is nowhere lagging behind. The Reliance Communication of Anil Ambani even unsuccessfully tried to capture the African markets. Several Indian Mobile companies are vying with each other and one is always at the look out how to outbeat the other. Technology is fast changing and no doubt this tiny instrument in one's hand has literally proved an old idiom `Duniya Meri Mutti Mein'. I am of the firm view that all technology is good in a way, but if misused it may even prove a curse, as had happened in the case of Bhasmasur in the infamous Indian mythological context.
RK Kutty
Mobile number portability is a revolutionary change being introduced by the TRAI. It should be welcomed by the users. Mobile number portability is that, the user can change the operator by retaining the existing mobile number, by nominal charge. The user, therefore, can get liberty to keep their number by changing to the best serviceable operator by breaking the monopoly of the operator. As such the operators have to provide better customer service, full network coverage, service quality, besides low tariff plans. Etc to attract the customers in a big way. Portability also helps the subscriber to retain his mobile number when changing one physical location to another location. So definitely, the mobile number portability will benefit the users in a most exciting opportunities created by telecom industry. The process of porting is easy in short the customer only needs to contact the recipient operator (new operator) and authorize the operator to handle the porting. This process is simple, fast for the end user.
The economic growth of India has taken place concurrent to the explosive growth in communication. But, unfortunately, in many rural belts the transformation in telecom sector is still to reach. Rural India, therefore, needs a significant penetration and transformation of connectivity of internet etc. As such Govt is finding solution by invasion of internet in the coming years with Wi-Max service covering the entire nation under Wi-Max wireless technology which will boost to flood rural India with mobile telephony and broadband access. India will experience, the greatest internet plans which will intent to cover the whole country under wi-max umbrella.
C Rajendran
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is implemented in different ways across the globe. India will introduce MNP on December 31 and the move will allow users to retain their number even if they switch operators. MNP is expected a move that could further intensify the stiff competition in the world's fastest-growing wireless market and push call charges lower.
According to telecoms regulator, MNP will be introduced in two phases, first in the metro cities and the so-called Category A telecom zones and in other areas by March 20, 2010. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), MNP will help in increasing competition between the service providers and will act as a catalyst for the service providers to improve their quality of service. The regulator also notified certain charges associated with MNP and said switching charges for users must not exceed Rs 19.
However, operators are free to levy any amount less than or equal to this charge. In the beginning the scheme seems to be optimistic but the truth has to be seen after practice and with time that how things will be manipulated by the service providers later on. Moreover, other complications for its misuse which could arise due to MNP have to be experienced after its implementation only. We run for small term advantages/profits by ignoring long term disadvantages. Misuse of MNP in terms to exploit the users by the service providers as well as other possible miss use of the facility should be taken care off.
Security in general and personal security in particular is already a great challenge in the environment with mobile and now with mobile portability it will be more at risk as there will be wide option for the user for the use of its mobile. Because of their portability mobiles are more likely to be stolen. There are also serious considerations regarding data security.
Dr Suram Singh Verma
Yes, Mobile Number Portability will really benefit users? As of today, mobile phone users across India will benefit from the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which is a facility allowing subscribers to retain their Mobile number even after changing service provider. Thus any one is free to choose a new mobile service provider who is offering the best deal without losing the existing number.
MNP, an essential feature of a competitive mobile sector, is now seen as a customer right irrespective of the costs and benefits. Consumer is the King. And commercial Darwinism now rules the mobile world. Let MNP roam in the Jurassic Park.
Various customers switch mobile operator i.e. service provider at some point due to many reasons, e.g. changes in individual demand patterns, service innovation, operator new offerings and changing price and quality propositions.
The introduction of MNP would lead to increased competition between the operators i.e. service providers, the benefit of which will come to the user. Benefits of Mobile Number Portability are:
1. If you are not satisfied with your existing provider, you don't have to stay just to keep your number for business purpose.
2. If you are in business, keeping your number when changing mobile service provider means you will avoid missing calls.
3. It facilitates consumers to choose across mobile operators, as it removes the inbuilt cost of a number change when moving to a new provider.
4. Any number change involves a natural cost to the user, who would otherwise have to notify friends, family, partners and allies of their new number or re-print visiting cards or stationery or any signage or advertising redone. Thus the benefits are usually seen as the savings in not having to do these changes or inform contacts of the new number.
5. With MNP, consumers can move in between operators, where they may get a better deal on tariffs or services with another operator.
6. The retention of the same number will enable some business customers, especially those on the move such as electricians and salesmen, to maintain their contacts and flow of business.
7. There are benefits also for callers e.g. avoiding costs of finding changed numbers. Without MNP, these consumers have to update their address books and may be unable to call a particular user.
8. The MNP service would force operators to lure and retain subscribers with various incentives and schemes i.e. announcing sops, including lowering call and SMS rates, to retain their subscribers. It could also urge providers to initiate loyalty programs which could offer benefits to users who agree to a long-term contract with the provider.
9. The service will be available to both pre-paid and post-paid subscribers.
The Telecom watch dog Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) wants to leave no stone unturned for smooth implementation of Mobile Number Portability in India.
Finally, In order to maximize the benefits, the process should be as user-friendly as possible and implemented effectively so that the most customers use MNP and get the full benefits.
PS Prakasa Rao
Despite the fair porting charges for impending mobile number portability fixed, experts believe that this won't be a respite for mass success of this technology in India.
Strong regulatory enforcement along with low porting time would give an initial boost to give portability a trial. Successful testing of portability in the first few months, having back-end processes in place with operational efficiency like getting the no objection certificate from old operator, would give a positive impetus to the technology. Apart from porting charges, porting time is another factor that needs clarity say one week. If the time exceeds there shall be misuse by the outside of the country as porting a SIM shall be confusing to place the users. In other countries porting time ranges from a few hours to a few weeks. Amidst competition, providers will match the lowest common denominator, so tariff won't play a significant role for increasing portability adoption. Retention of subscribers would be a focus of players but this should be done in a way so as not to hinder the mobile number portability growth.
TRAI has fixed maximum porting charges at Rs 19. The charges fixed by TRAI are very low when compared to earlier expectations of the amount to be in the range of Rs 250. Given that this is only 10% of the national monthly, and less than the upfront payment, one needs to pay to get a new connection, it could lead to an increase in churn. Importantly, this is only a ceiling on the porting fee, and can be charged only by the recipient operator.
Thus, operators could resort to significant discounts in porting fees and initial charges to attract subscribers. Portability is expected to hit India telecom sector from December 31 this year and would enable a subscriber to change providers while retaining the mobile number. India has higher percentage of pre-paid subscribers and country's annual churn rate of about half which highlights the fact that portability would not impact the Indian telecom industry. New, operators would use the low porting charges to their advantage.
Dr Visal A Khan
The TRAI has announced number portability, Rs 19. Any person may achieve number portability facility. It would commence in four metros first.
Today terrorism poses a major threat to the nations of the world. The terrorists are also using mobile handsets to achieve their evil designs. The mobile has made their work easy.
There are many mobile companies today doing brisk business and involved in the progress of urban and rural India. Undoubtedly The new method would further speed up development of remote and rural areas.
Every coin has two sides. The portability plan thus has its advantages and its disadvantages.
PS Pawar
Should we develop a new economic capital in the central part of India?
The winners of the forum on:
Success is a matter of cause and effect are-
First: BR Parmar
Second: Sunil S Okhade
Third: VR Nair.
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Friday, September 03, 2010
