How Can You Port a Mobile Number, and How Long Does It Take to Port a Number?
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is a facility provided by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to mobile users to transfer their service provider without changing their mobile number, irrespective of their geographical area.
That means a user can port their number from one provider to another in the same state (circle) or a different state (circle).
It is a very useful feature when you are not satisfied with your existing telecom provider.
Even though mobile portability was introduced a few years ago, a lot of users have doubts in this regard.
We are trying to explain most of the doubts regarding mobile number portability in India.
How to Do the Mobile Number Portability?
To port a mobile number from one network to another, the user has to submit a Unique Porting Code (UPC) along with their KYC documents.
=> To get the UPC, send an SMS to 1900 in the format “PORT XX,” where XX is the 10-digit mobile number you want to port.
Immediately UPC will be received on your mobile number as an SMS.
=> Then visit the local office of the telecom operation you want to switch to. Submit an application (if any) and KYC documents, and convey the UPC to the service executive.
Suppose you want to port your mobile number to BSNL from any other operator.
You have to visit your local BSNL customer care center along with your UPC and your Aadhaar card.
The customer service executive will perform all the verification, including biometric authentication.
=> After verification, you will receive the new SIM card from the operator, and you will receive an acknowledgment for your MNP application.
=> During this period, you have the option to change your mind if you don’t want the porting.
The porting process will be completed within 3–4 working days. Porting times may vary depending on different situations.
=> On completion of the porting, you lose the signal from the first operator.
=> Put the new SIM on your phone and enjoy the service.
How Long Does It Take to Port a Number?
The porting time mainly depends on the service provider and circle you belong to.
If you are trying to port a number from one provider to another one in the same state or circle, the porting process will be completed within 3-4 days maximum.
But because the source provider and the destination provider belong to different circles or states, SIM port time may take up to 5–6 days.
If you feel that the porting time is longer than specified, you may contact the service provider from whom you requested the porting.
How Can a Customer Withdraw Their Porting Request?
A customer can cancel their porting request within 24 hours of submitting the request.
To cancel the request, send an SMS to the same number, 1900, in the format CANCEL XX.
Here, XX is the 10-digit mobile number for which you want to cancel the port request.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Mobile Number Porting?
The following are the main eligibility conditions for a normal user to port their number:
- You should have been active with the present operator for the last 90 days.
- If you are a postpaid user, all the outstanding dues should be cleared.
- There should not be any active ownership requests for the existing mobile number.
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