Mobile Number portability (MNP) definition MNP services classification Processing a call to a ported number Different techniques used to implement MNP Comparison of those techniques

MNP refers to the ability of end users to retain their mobile number when they change their network operator/service provider, their location, or their service.

There are three number portability services : Operator portability Location portability Service portability

It refers to the ability of an end user to retain the same telephone number when changing from one operator to another. It is also referred to as service provider number portability and is further divided into: Geographic number portability for all fixed public telephone network and integrated services digital network (ISDN) subscribers at a specific location ; Non-geographic number portability or NGNP for fixed numbers at any location ; Mobile number portability or MNP.

It refers to the ability of an end user to retain the same telephone number when changing from one physical location to another without necessarily changing their operator.

It refers to the ability of an end user to retain the same telephone number when changing from one type of service to another without necessarily changing their operator.(e.g., from old telephone service to ISDN)

Two stages are involved : 1. Interception Stage. Its the recognition that the call is toward a ported number. It can be performed at : Donor switch (local exchange where the subscriber line was initially attached before being ported), Transit switch, originating switch (the switch from which the calling partys call originates). 2. Routeing Stage. The call is re-routed from the intercepting switch to the new terminating switch.

Technical solutions depends on : The time scales required ; The characteristics of the existing network (level of digitalisation, existence of Intelligent Network (IN) platforms, network architecture etc) ; The interconnection structure (number of POIs and level of interconnection, number of transit areas etc); and The scale of implementation of NP (very small number of lines concerned, or generalised use of this service) and the number of operators involved.

You can shift your old mobile service provider to new better mobile service portability, keeping your mobile number unchanged. The porting transaction charge is very low, just Rs. 19. Thus it is quite affordable. The formalities involved in MNP are quite nominal. You have to just send a SMS followed by the filling up of customer application form for MNP. The whole process of switching mobile operators will take of maximum number of seven days only. There are approximately 700 million mobile users countrywide with about 10 operators in each circle. Thus MNP is going to prove a great benefit to them.

To bring higher marketing expenses for mobile operators followed by lower profits. MNP could be a headache to police department because the criminals can misuse the portability duration of 90 days. MNP is that you lose all your remaining balance in your prepaid account on porting to new number.