money savings tips on mobile number portability03

8/7/2019 Money savings tips on mobile number portability03

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Money savings tips on mobile number

portability

iTrust Financial Advisors, On Friday 21 January 2011, 11:38 PM

MNP or Mobile Number Portability is now reality. If you have been unhappy with your mobile

telephony services provider, you can now switch to a provider of your choice while retainingyour existing mobile number. Here we share some money saving tips for you.

So far, the cost of moving from one mobile network to another was very high. This "switching

cost" was mostly about the inconvenience caused to you as you would lose your old number and

then have to get a new mobile number. This was a bigger pain for post-paid subscribers ratherthan pre-paid ones. Imagine the confusion when your contacts would be trying to reach you on

your old number and fail. Well, now this kind of a switching cost has gone away through number

portability but don't ignore some other costs and ways of saving money.

1. Deposits: If you have paid any deposits for services you were getting, for example deposit for

international roaming, then make sure you get it back at the time you cancel your subscriptionwith your current provider. Or, you can use this deposit to settle your last bill with them.

2. Handset costs: If you switch from a network using CDMA to GSM, or vice versa, you willlikely need to change your handset as well. So, make sure that if you switch to an alternative

network, your handset will remain compatible so you don't incur an additional cost of purchasing

a new phone.

3. Switching fee of Rs 19: Customers switching to a new network will be charged a fee of Rs 19.Ask your new provider to waive off this charge or offer you a discount - it is totally within their

means to give this to you.

4. Freebies: Many providers will be offering introductory freebies such as free talk time or free

sms packages if you migrate your number to their networks. Rather than impulsively changingyour network today, maybe you can wait for another week or maybe up to a month to see what

freebies will be on offer, and then choose the best package for yourself.

The experience of MNP from other countries suggests that subscribes don't usually migrate in

huge numbers. If you plan to switch, choose wisely and make sure you are able to get a good


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deal. After all, MNP will introduce more competition in the market and this dynamic can only

benefit you in both the short and long run.

Pan-India mobile number portability launch

todayYahoo! India Finance, On Thursday 20 January 2011, 10:17 AM

Today's the day all those frustrated with their mobile phone networks have been waiting for.They can dump their operator for a better one just for Rs 19. And yes, it's for both post-paid and

pre-paid customers.

As Mobile Number Portability takes off across the country today, all you need to do is switch

operators if the one you have isn't meeting your needs and standards. Of course, you can only do

it within the current service area. So it doesn't really help people who are moving cities. Youcan't retain the number you had in Mumbai if you shift base to Delhi. But that apart, this service

is sure to soothe a few frazzled nerves and help you block a lot of unwanted service calls off.

Though studies reveal that MNP will make a negligible difference to subscriber base of operatorsand therefore to service as a whole, it'll be worth tracking the customer enthusiasm and reaction

to the much-hyped service that's finally being launched, three years late.

For a more detailed story, read here.

Also, analysts believe that number portability might spur a price war again and the profitability

of Indian cellular service providers is likely to be squeezed.

Amit K Khire of Ambit Capital, told DNA newspaper, "We expect MNP to increase the cost

structure of all the players as they will need to spend more on improving their quality of service

and customer care,"

However telcos believe thatusers will now look for quality providers.

"Post-paid users generally have a higher standard of service and broader requirements. The

operators will offer them bundles of sops and services. This might also happen for that class of

prepaid subscriber that mimics the postpaid subscriber," said Rajan Mathews, director general of

lobby group, the Cellular Operators Association of India or COAI in Live Mint.

Cashing in on this opportunity Idea has now opened a call centre exclusively to handle MNP

issues.

But finally who will benefit from the number portability. Wall Street Journal's analysis gives you

the answer.
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So what exactly is MNP or mobile number portability and how does it work?

What is it?

It is a new facility that allows you to switch your user without changing your mobile number. In

fact, mobile number portability can be done even if you keep the same technologyGSM toGSM connectionor change it CDMA to GSM connection and vice versa.

How to switch - Rules:

a) Subscribers who want to avail of this service, first need to send an SMS: PORTyour mobile

number to 1900 from their mobile. They will get an eight-digit alphanumeric code and an expirydate for that code from the current service provider. This code is called unique porting code, or

UPC.

b) Then he needs to fill the application in a particular format and mention the new service

provider, he would like to subscribe for.

c) The new service provider will collect the information about the user from the current operator.A time period of seven days will be taken for the complete transfer of mobile number to the

network of the new mobile operator.

d) As a transformation charge for the new operator the subscriber has to pay Rs 19.c

Subscribers happy post-mobile number

portability launch


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New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) The customers are a happy lot post the nation-wide launch of mobile

number portability (MNP) Thursday -- a scheme that allows subscribers to switch operators

without changing their existing number.

'I am happy that the scheme is finally here. I have been using Idea for the past one year but I am

facing problems like bad network. I am now planning to switch to Airtel due to its better networkavailability,' said 24-year-old Sanchit Gulati, a professional consultant.

MNP was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday, after being initially tested inHaryana.

India currently has over 700 million mobile phone users, making the network the largest in the

world after China. The country has been adding 15-18 million new mobile phone connections to

the network every month.

Ahead of the pan-India launch of the scheme, some companies had already started their

advertising campaigns to woo dissatisfied customers of other networks. Idea Cellular was thefirst to start the campaign, followed by Vodafone.

Charanjeet Singh, who sells mobile phone sim cards in Sarojini Nagar, said: 'Not many are aware

of MNP. Some operators have started supplying advertising banners, but whether a customerswitches will depend on the service provided.'

To avail the service, a customer will have to pay a maximum of Rs.19 to the new operator for

'porting' the number. The customer then has to remain with the new operator for at least threemonths.

The customer will have to send an SMS from the existing phone to 1900. Following this, aunique porting code will be sent by the existing provider. The customer will have to then file an

application with the new service provider mentioning the code for transferring the connection.

Officials say the maximum waiting period fixed for porting a number is seven working days. Butthe number will remain out of service for just two hours.

Mehul Pithva from a Bangalore-based IT firm, however, thinks that service levels may not be

much of a differentiator between companies post-MNP as all of them would try to sweet talk the

customer from not switching.

'Subscribers will benefit only if MNP results in companies lowering tarrifs to attract people fromother networks. And as users can still retain the number, most people I know would switch if it

means paying less,' said Pithva


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Telcos launch special plans to woo MNP

customers

On Thursday 20 January 2011, 9:06 PM

New Delhi, Jan 20 (PTI) Following the launch of mobile number portability (MNP), which lets

people switch service providers without having to change their phone numbers, telecomoperators like BSNL and MTS today announced various schemes to woo subscribers of other

companies.

State-owned BSNL will provide free 2G and 3G connections, besides free talktime to MNP

customers migrating to BSNL.

"No port in charges shall be levied to customers moving to BSNL. Besides this, the SIM card for

2G/3G shall be provided free of cost, along with an additional talk value of Rs 100 for prepaidcustomers," BSNL said in a statement.

Subscribers will also get 50 per cent rebate on the first month charges along with free 5 GB

GPRS/3G usage for a month.

MNP has not only ushered in fresh competition among GSM operators, but between GSM and

CDMA operators as well.

Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL), which offers CDMA services under MTS brand name,

said it will offer a range of smartphones through easy monthly instalment (EMI) options, along

with free talktime.

Besides, CDMA customers switching to MTS would be offered half paisa per second tariff for

all local calls valid for three months on buying the first recharge coupon of Rs 13.

Apart from wooing new customers, telcos are also launching innovative schemes to retainexisting customers.

Loop Mobile, which operates in Mumbai, has launched a new offer under which its subscribers

will get minimum 0.50 paise per minute for every call drop in Mumbai and Thane.

Customers will have to pay a maximum of Rs 19 to their existing operators to change theirnetworks and new operators have the option to either waive the fee or reduce it.

However, a consumer will have to remain with one operator for a minimum of three months, for

availing the MNP service.

Uninor, the JV company between Norwegian firm Telenor and Unitech, said the company will

go with its Dynamic Pricing scheme to attract pre-paid subscribers to its network.


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"The customer can keep the same number but start getting up to 60 per cent discounts on all the

calls that is a powerful proposition," Uninor said in a statement.

The Department of Telecommunications has said the entire process of switching operators will

take a maximum of seven days and subscribers may face disruption of services for about two

hours during that period. .

Now, a MNP helpline, courtsey Idea

Press Trust of India, January 17, 2011

Three days ahead of the launch of Mobile Number Portability, Aditya Birla group firm Idea

Cellular today started a helpline to guide over 700 million mobile users on various aspects of theservice.

MNP, which enables subscribers to change operator while retaining their mobile numbers, is tobe rolled out across the country on January 20.

"Idea's new Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000 will offer all relevant information on the processesand procedures of availing MNP and porting requests from mobile subscribers who wish to

switch to Idea," Idea Cellular said in a statement.

The helpline is being promoted through a television ad launched recently, besides other media

platforms, it added. "We realise that mobile users are awaiting MNP to switch to a network

which offers seamless connectivity, superior customer service, and affordable and relevant

products and services," Idea Cellular Senior Vice President (Marketing) Anupama Ahluwaliasaid


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Mobile Number Portability is here. But think

before you switch

RELATED ARTICLES

Mobile Number Portability: Idea, Vodafone lead in marketing rush MNP to hit operating margins of telcos in short term: ICRA Vodafone right to oppose Essar telecom listing Mobile number portability: PM to flag off nationwide roll-out tomorrow

NEW DELHI: With mobile number portability ( MNP )) becoming operational from

Thursday, telecom consumers now have the choice of switching their operatorwithout having to change their mobile number. This facility is available to bothpostpaid and prepaid customers and subscribers of GSM as well as CDMA service.The only restriction is that you can change your operator without changing yournumber only within your current service area. Which means subscribers cannot taketheir Delhi number to an operator in Mumbai . They can only change their operatorwithin Delhi.

The cost of porting a number to a new operator is Rs 19, with the maximum portingtime capped at 7 working days by telecom regulator Trai except in Jammu andKashmir, Assam and North East service areas, where it will be 15 working days.However , consumers will have to remain with the new operator for three monthsbefore moving on.

Number portability has been delayed by three years, leaving many consumersanxious . Several subscribers, who feel disappointed with billing, customer care, andoverall service delivery, have been waiting for this moment . But the real question iswhether you should take the plunge and switch loyalties or not. Will the switch
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really be worth your trouble?

The real reason for change would be to access better quality of service or improvedcustomer care and of course, the proposition of a better tariff package. This,however,will occur only if operators believe that the churn out of their subscriber

base will be so high that they need to improve their service or customer care, etc.However , surveys have revealed that the net effect of number portability ispractically negligible . This means most large operators gain and lose roughly thesame number of subscribers, taking away any incentive to dramatically changequality of service or customer care or pricing owing to the threat of losingsubscribers or the option of gaining subscribers.

For the consumer, this could mean you might switch your operator, but based moreon a perception of improvement rather than a real difference. Trais September2009 data suggests that at a pan-India level, the call set up success rate wasupwards of 97.26%the lowest being in UP (East) and the highest at 99.99% inMumbai . Similarly the call drop rate according to Trai is less than 3% across thecountry with the highest at 1.9% in Rajasthan and the lowest at 0.42% in Orissa. Infact, the difference between GSM and CDMA operators is also negligible .

Further, all operators across the country score upwards of 90% with regards to theparameter called connection with good quality voice with the highest in UP West(CDMA) at 99.99% and the lowest in UP East (GSM) at 95.1%. It is also a wellestablished fact that tariffs are extremely competitive and so moving to adramatically lower bill is unlikely.

Some consumers who are frequent callers, an equivalent of closed user grouporfamily members who are currently on different networks could now move to singlenetwork to take advantage of attractive tariff packages, including free calls withinthe same network, etc.But before you make any switch check whether youroperator is providing a similar option.

money savings tips on mobile number portability03

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