Number portability started in India from January 20, 2011

Now you can shift your mobile service provider if you are not happy with current provider because Government of India from 20 Jan, 2011 made number portability valid in India. MNP gives you freedom to shift to a better service provider with less hassle. This service is applicable to both the Prepaid as well as the Postpaid customers.

The service is currently available in Haryana but is being extended nationwide so that people can have choice to shift their number and hence maintaining better quality in the field of mobile services.

Currently, in India a customer is stucked with a operator even if he doesn't likes the service because if he shifts to another provider then he will have to change his number too. But now as number portability is live, one can change the telecom provider but keeping the number same.

The scheme was delayed several times in the past. Initially, it was to be implemented by Dec 31, 2009, in all the metros along with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The deadline was changed to March 31, 2010, and then to June 30 and subsequently again to October 31. But these were again deferred as operators were not ready with the infrastructure to provide the service.

On November 25, the scheme was launched in Haryana and Kapil Sibal said it would be made a pan-India offer from Jan 20.