Haryana first to use number portability

The launch of mobile number portability - a facility that lets you change your telecom service provider while retaining your number - in the Haryana circle (excluding Faridabad and Gurgaon) on Thursday will usher in a new era for 670 million mobile phone subscribers in India.

The launch of mobile number portability - a facility that lets you change your telecom service provider while retaining your number - in the Haryana circle (excluding Faridabad and Gurgaon) on Thursday will usher in a new era for 670 million mobile phone subscribers in India. While for Haryana, the facility is just Rs 19 away, it will be available in all over India by January 2011.

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"In order to attract customers, some operators may even waive off the charge," a senior official of a telecom service provider said. Moreover, both new and established players claim that number portability will help their business. "We see this as a great opportunity for us," an Airtel spokesperson said.

"I am sure consumers will go for established brands," an Idea Cellular spokesperson said.

"Customers will be attracted towards new operators as they have ability to bring down tariffs and provide better quality as their networks are empty," said an official of a new nation-wide operator.