The ambitious mobile number portability (MNP) project has been delayed yet again as operators are yet to upgrade their networks to allow subscribers to change their service provider without changing their mobile numbers. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had set January 2010 as ‘final’ deadline for implementing MNP, but now it seems that it would take another six months before MNP is fully implemented.
In their meeting with senior DoT officials here on Friday, mobile operators said they were still to upgrade their networks to allow MNP. Mobile operators would not be able to meet December 31, 2009, deadline of full preparedness announced recently. MNP was to be implemented in a phased manner, starting with four metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. It is not only the private mobile companies but also the State-run telecom firms BSNL and MTNL which are also not ready for the implementation of MNP. Both BSNL and MTNL have sought time till March 2010 to gear up for the ambitious project.
