Mobile Number Portability FAQs: How to safely port your number from one service to another

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Facts about MNP:

MNP is always a government regulated body that implements the solution and keep track and record of port-in and port-out numbers among operators. A centralized MNP server and "Centralized database" is maintained by MNP body and accessible to all operators.

There is always one "Donner" (subscriber port-out) and "Acceptor"(subscriber port-in) operator in MNP topology Tehnically speaking IMSI and MSISDN are network dependent and can not be cross-mapped.

Therefore if any MSISDN port-out to other operator, recepient operator assigns new IMSI, MSISDN, ICC-ID, that is new SIM card is allocated to subsciber with similar MSISDN but with IMSI ICC-ID of new operator.

All operator update the MNP database againt this subscriber and also update the routing table in MSC with " LRN". LRN is alpha numeric prefix appended before the MSISDN and is specific to each operator and plays key role in MNP.

Number Portability Clearinghouse makes it easy for mobile operators anywhere to comply with number portability mandates. It serves as a centralized system for porting all number types(CDMA/GSM).

In the number portability the major roll is of STP (signaling Transfer Point). STP will have the local database server of the operator and it will in sync with the central database handled by the DOT and TRAI in india.

In INDIA, MNP is controlled(Nothing but Number Portability ClearingHouse) in joint venture with TELCORDIA (Number Portability - Telcordia - Number Portability Clearinghouse)

Whenever any subscriber want to change the operator he will buy on SIM card and acceptor operator will route(map) the IMSI with the subscriber MDN and same will be updated in the central database. Local database server of accepter and donar network will take the update from the central database.

Once the subscriber will moved from one operator to other operator he has to stay with the new operator for minimum of 3 months(90Days) as per the MNP guidelines provided by the TRAI.


How Mobile Operators SUCKING BLOOD while PORT-OUT their subscribers:

1) When you send a MNP request to get UPC by sending SMS to 1900, then immdtly your Existing operator's retention team calls you & tries to convince you with new (hidden) tariff plans which is especially made for MNP Switchers.

2) If you didn't convinced by retention team's offers & you still want to PORT-OUT, then your existing operator try to REJECT your MNP request by giving any S.H.I.T.T.Y reasons.

VALID REASONS:
i) Number is less than 90 days old.
ii) PORTing code(UPC) mis-match
iii) Requested no.'s service provider is NOT within the same service area.
iV) Un-Paid dues in case of Postpaid & negative Balance incase of pre-paid.
v) Subscriber's name mis-match

INVALID REASONS:
i) Subscribers under LifeTime validity.
ii) NOT enough positive balance(incase of prepaid).
iii) If your number is FANCY one, then they might ask you for PREMIUM NUMBER allotment charge while approving your PORT-OUT(I personally experienced this issue with my Fancy number).

POST PAID SUBSCRIBERS, BEWARE OF THIS:
Even if you clear out all your dues(generated bills), still operator's billing system shows your account is with DUEs. Its because of your unbilled amount.

So, its your duty to call your existing operator & ask for your unbilled amount & add next 10days approximate usage amount to it & Pay the same before you submitting your PORT-IN request to NEW operator. Else your PORT-OUT request will be REJECTED by your existing operator with VALID REASON. DONT TRY TO SETTLE THE UNBILLED AMOUNT WITH YOUR DEPOSIT AMOUNT(if any) with your existing operator. Because once you PORTED-OUT Successfully, you have the rights to ask your OLD operator to REFUND your DEPOSIT. So DONT mess with DEPOSITED AMOUNT while PORTING-OUT.

PRE-PAID SUBSCRIBERS, BEWARE OF THIS:
Cancel all VAS like Caller Tunes, SMS Subscription Packages(NEWS, Jokes..etc..). Try to maintain your pre-paid balance above Rs.20 till you receive the confirmation SMS from your existing operator regarding successfull approval of PORT-OUT request. Else some of VAS subscriptions may consume amount on regular basis from your existing balance & your operator may REJECT your PORT-OUT request by giving reason as 'Negative/Low Balance'.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO MAKE YOUR MNP SWITCHING SMOOTH:
1) Follow the TIPS given above separately for PostPaid & Pre-Paid users.
2) Dont mess with "Retention" calls from your existing operator. Handle them smoothly & reject their offers even more smoothly. If still retention team gives you more tention, then just tell them that "My mom & dad/bro/sis got 2 more your connections with postpaid & if you people didnt stop your retention calls & didnt approved my PORT-OUT request, then I will ask my mom/dad/bro/sis too apply for PORT-OUT from you".
3) Once you submitted your PORT-IN request to new operator along with all necessary documents, just relax for 3 days. On 4th day, call to existing operator & as well as new operator's customer care & ask for MNP status for your number.
4) On 5th, 6th & 7th day, Call & write an email to your existing operator's NODAL Officer & request them to PORT-OUT your number & also tell them that 'customer care people are NOT helping you much, so you writing to them'.
5) On Day7, get in touch with new operator & keep on asking for the status of your PORT-IN request.

DONT GET PANIC IF YOUR MNP REQUEST GOT REJECTED BY YOUR EXISTING OPERATOR, STILL YOU CAN RE-REQUEST FOR MNP AFTER 15days from the date of UPC Generation.

BEST OF LUCK.:imwink:
 
why should we maintain balance of rs20???
 
So that they make money even when we leave them!
 
i had rupees 4 when i was porting out. it went smooth.
 
So that they make money even when we leave them!

Yup,but i find it another lame excuse..After going through this thread maybe operators will make it mandatory to keep minimum balance of rs20 while porting..

i had rupees 4 when i was porting out. it went smooth.

Which operator you ported out?
 
idea
 


It is NOT compulsory to maintain the Rs.20 as positive Balance, But to escape from their LAME EXCUSE & to smoother out your MNP process, its required. But when you get successful approval (SMS) of your PORT-OUT confirmation from your existing operator, you can use FULL Balance till the actual PORTing takes place.
 
It is NOT compulsory to maintain the Rs.20 as positive Balance, But to escape from their LAME EXCUSE & to smoother out your MNP process, its required. But when you get successful approval (SMS) of your PORT-OUT confirmation from your existing operator, you can use FULL Balance till the actual PORTing takes place.

What you meant was the moment i get sms that port out is successful,i could by then use my balance amount??
 
What you meant was the moment i get sms that port out is successful,i could by then use my balance amount??

Here is a sample SMS which I got from new operator(They sent this SMS when they got successful PORT-OUT confirmation from existing operator):
(G) Your Port in request for mobile number XXXXXXXXXX has been accepted. Your mobile number will be Ported on 11-Feb-2011 at 03:00AM. Thank You - NEW OPERATOR
This kind of confirmation message you gonna receive at-least 8-10 hrs before the actual PORTing takes place. So you can utilize this time to make calls/SMS & EMPTY your current balance. 😀
 
INVALID REASONS:
i) Subscribers under LifeTime validity.
ii) NOT enough positive balance(incase of prepaid).
iii) If your number is FANCY one, then they might ask you for PREMIUM NUMBER allotment charge while approving your PORT-OUT(I personally experienced this issue with my Fancy number).

Hi ,

I have been rejected the port out request by Vodafone for the following reason " Request has been rejected due to The number or Range is in Contractual Obligations.Request you to call our customer care for further action."

I have a number that ends with 1234.Which is a fancy number.Please advice how did you switch your number? I asked this because you have mentioned this in the post above that your request has been rejected bcos of a fancy number.

Thanks,
Dhananjay
 
I am also facing same fancy no. Problem with punjab airtel. Even they r not allowing me to receive upc code. When i send request they returned with message error and retry . I tried 100 times but all in vain. Any advice whom to contact to address my problem. Thanks
 
INVALID REASONS:
i) Subscribers under LifeTime validity.
ii) NOT enough positive balance(incase of prepaid).
iii) If your number is FANCY one, then they might ask you for PREMIUM NUMBER allotment charge while approving your PORT-OUT(I personally experienced this issue with my Fancy number).

Hi ,

I have been rejected the port out request by Vodafone for the following reason " Request has been rejected due to The number or Range is in Contractual Obligations.Request you to call our customer care for further action."

I have a number that ends with 1234.Which is a fancy number.Please advice how did you switch your number? I asked this because you have mentioned this in the post above that your request has been rejected bcos of a fancy number.

Thanks,
Dhananjay

Contact NODAL Officer of your region & also call Customer Care and ask them to connect your call to some higher authorities & ask them that, "What you mean by Contractual Obligations"?

AFAIK, this kind of rejection reasons will be given only to corporate customers or to the subscriber who is bound with some kind of special/separate agreements made with operator.

But in my case, I mailed to customer care people by keeping CC to Nodal officer by stating that, I'm 100% eligible for PORT-OUT(i.e. I cleared all dues including unbilled amount & my connection is 6 yr old..blah..blah..) & If you people didn't release my number for port-out, I gonna lodge a complaint in CONSUMER COURT against you people & there I gonna produce this email itself as a notice to you people. I also told them that, I gonna make all arrangements of issuing you a LEGAL NOTICE from my LAWYER & copy of that LEGAL NOTICE will be advertised in NEWS PAPERS. :O

On 8th day, they released my number & I faced just half an hour downtime(that's too in late night) while actual porting took place.😎

---------- Post added at 02:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 PM ----------

I am also facing same fancy no. Problem with punjab airtel. Even they r not allowing me to receive upc code. When i send request they returned with message error and retry . I tried 100 times but all in vain. Any advice whom to contact to address my problem. Thanks

Try to send UPC request to 1900 by using some other operator's SIM & mention your AIRTEL number in that SMS(i.e. Use different SIM & send SMS to 1900 "PORT Your10DigitAirtelNumber").

I'm NOT SURE whether this will work or NOT, but I suggest you to try this.
Wish you best of LUCK.:urock:
 
INVALID REASONS:
i) Subscribers under LifeTime validity.
ii) NOT enough positive balance(incase of prepaid).
iii) If your number is FANCY one, then they might ask you for PREMIUM NUMBER allotment charge while approving your PORT-OUT(I personally experienced this issue with my Fancy number).

Hi ,

I have been rejected the port out request by Vodafone for the following reason " Request has been rejected due to The number or Range is in Contractual Obligations.Request you to call our customer care for further action."

I have a number that ends with 1234.Which is a fancy number.Please advice how did you switch your number? I asked this because you have mentioned this in the post above that your request has been rejected bcos of a fancy number.

Thanks,
Dhananjay

Same thing happened(with same rejection reason) to my friend. This time I tried in smooth way & hopes some positive result this time.
I called-up customercare(of vodafone) & asked the explanation about the rejected reason "The number or Range is in Contractual Obligations".
They asked me to contact your nearest VODAFONE Store & they will assist you for further action.

Then I went to the nearest VODAFONE Store & shown the REJECTED Message(which I received from 1901) & asked them "What to do next"?
Vodafone store personnel accessed account details in their PC & checked on certain points like:
1) Due(s) against generated bills & found that All generated BILLS were PAID & Even PAID for UNBILLED USAGES.
2) This number is FANCY one & asked me "whether you paid money to get this number?" I said NO, This number allotted for me FREE of cost.
3) Then he told: Your account seems to be OK & your number will be released in next 24hrs & asked me to meet his colleague sitting at next desk.
4) That fellow tried his level best to convince me for retention, but he failed. Finally he composed a mail to his higher authorities (right in-front of me) & told me that "I've made all arrangements to PORT-OUT your number & same will be going to reflect in next 24hrs and advised me to contact new operator(BSNL, where I submitted PORT-IN request) & ask them to re-request for PORT-IN.

Now the problem is, due to "Eid Milad" Festival BSNL office will remain closed &
tomorrow(17th Feb) UPC will going to EXPIRE! :huh:
 
Now the problem is, due to "Eid Milad" Festival BSNL office will remain closed &
tomorrow(17th Feb) UPC will going to EXPIRE! :huh:
Request a fresh UPC.
 

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