How to Port a Mobile Number in India and How Long Does It Take?
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, users must 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. Apply (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 centre 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 acknowledgement 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.
However, 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 and don’t have any idea about MNP status, you may contact the service provider from whom you requested the porting.
Earlier, there were two websites to check the status of your MNP request. But at present, both of them are not working.
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.
Before you begin the porting procedure, be sure you’re qualified to change your phone number. Check to see if you’ve fulfilled your current service provider’s minimum lock-in period.
Also, be certain that the service provider you wish to switch to allows number portability in your area.
Conclusion
In India, porting a mobile number is a simple process that allows customers to move network carriers without losing their current number.
Users can effortlessly move to their chosen mobile network provider by following the step-by-step approach provided in this article and verifying compliance with the appropriate documents and regulations.
While difficulties and delays are expected, identifying the potential concerns and using best practices can help reduce them.
You may be concerned about network coverage and service quality while transferring your number.
It is critical to conduct research and select a service provider that provides dependable coverage in your location.
To ensure you’re making the correct selection, look for customer reviews and ask friends or coworkers about their experiences. Remember, no one enjoys lost calls or slow internet!
People in India may confidently try their alternatives and make educated judgments when it comes to changing their mobile operators with the knowledge gathered from this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can switch your mobile number to any network provider of your choosing as long as they offer mobile number portability and operate inside your telecom circle. Before beginning the porting procedure, it is critical to confirm the availability of number portability with your preferred network provider.
In India, the average SIM porting time to complete the mobile number porting procedure is roughly 4 working days. However, depending on factors such as the efficiency of the operators engaged, paperwork verification, and any unanticipated complications that may develop throughout the procedure, this timeline may vary.
Yes, there may be a brief interruption in service during the porting process. This outage often lasts a few hours, during which you will be unable to make or receive calls, send text messages, or utilize data services. It is best to schedule the porting procedure when you can manage this small time of disruption.
If your porting request is rejected, you will receive a rejection message from the recipient network operator, stating the reason for the rejection. Common reasons for rejection include incorrect documentation, incomplete information, outstanding dues with the current operator, or an active objection by the current operator. In such cases, you can rectify the issue and reapply for porting.
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