Mobile Number Portability (MNP) related Consumer Complaints (porting issues etc.)

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Stuck between a rock and a hard place? Old telecom provider not cooperating and the new telecom provider doesn’t have the details to process your PORT out request? Welcome to the reality of MNP. However, there is the TERM cell. Read on to find out how to have the hassles.

 

Mobile Number Portability is a scheme introduced by the Ministry of Telecommunications on 19th January, 2011. Under this scheme, the mobile phone users can retain their particular number while changing their service providers. You can stay with the same technology, GSM/CDMA or you can change to CDMA or vice versa. This opportunity can be used by both post paid and pre paid users.

It hardly takes seven working days to port the number from one service provider to another and that too only in Rs. 19. If you all are thinking that you can retain your number in another city, then I’m afraid MNP is still not available across sectors. You can switch to a new service provider only after 90 days from the date of issue of the mobile number.

Working of Mobile Number Portability:

Firstly, you need to send PORT with their respective mobile number to 1900. Then you will receive an alphanumeric code with an expiry date. This is the Unique Porting Code (UPC).

Secondly, you need to approach the service provider you have opted for with the UPC. The new service provider will ask for your address & ID proof/photograph/application form with that particular UPC and mobile number. This process should be completed within the expiry period of 7 days.

Thirdly, the new service provider will take the request to Mobile Portability Clearing House. Then this particular Clearing House will get the number deactivated from the existing provider and activate new one.

Fourthly, you will receive a text from the new service provider in which it would be mentioned at what date and time the phone will go through a non-service period. This is when the switching of service providers will take place. Your cell phone will be out of use for a maximum of 2 hours between 12 a.m. – 5 a.m.

How to file a complaint regarding MNP:

If you are facing problem with the Mobile Number Portability like:

  • The existing service provider is not letting you change the service provider.
  • The UPC sent by the existing service provider is wrong.
  • Your PORT out request by the existing service provider is rejected because of “contractual obligations”.

A close watch is kept on these types of matters relating to Mobile Number Portability by the Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cells. You can submit your complaint through email, phone call or you can individually walk up to the office and submit your complaint. You will find details of the offices of TERM Cells on http://dotosp.gov.in/OSP_files//termcellContactDetails.pdf.

A Handbook for the Consumers from the Telecom Regulator is a document in which telecom users will find all the relevant details relating to telecom problems, tariff, and new orders from the Ministry of Telecommunications.

If the customer is facing telecom problem other than Mobile Number Portability, you can file your complaint at Personal Grievance Cell (http://pgportal.gov.in/). This is an alternative site which is routed to the TERM Cell.

However, a Supreme Court’s judgment in 2009 has created a lot of confusion on whether consumers can approach District Consumer Forum for telecom disputes. See this article “The mess of telecom complaints in India: A Comprehensive Review.

 

File your consumer complaint here.

20 thoughts on “Mobile Number Portability (MNP) related Consumer Complaints (porting issues etc.)”

  1. Not able to port out. Port out requested on 3rd June, 2011. Request given to BSNL on 7th. Problems started from the next day. Port out request declined due to “legal issues” “contract obligations” “unbilled amount not paid” “Port out request lapsed”. It is more than 30 days since I placed a request. At the time I placed the request with BSNL I went to Reliance office and payed whatever was due even though the bill had not been generated. Even now I get assurances only that it will be addressed soon. Am thinking of cancelling the number. Number portability is a joke so far as Reliance is conserned. Am also suffering due to the lack of network coverage at my office area.

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  3. maine videocon se vodafoone me apna nu. port karya lekin vdafone baalo ne 30 days. n rakhane k baad sim card bilkul band kar di jab contect kiya to bolte hai nu. chalu nhi h0ga……..me contact 9669547172

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  5. sir maine apna BSNl number AIRTEL mein port kiye tha..mujhe airtel walon ne port id v de di thi.aur maine BSNL ka sim card v le liya par wo abhi tak chal nahi raha ….ek week ho gya pura.jab maine BSNL walon se baat ki tho wo bole ke hum ne app ki request send kar di but…..ek department hota hai AIRTEL aur BSNL walon ka common wo accept nahi kar rahe app ki request mera port wala mobile number hai 9417300220………toh ab main kya karu…….plzzzz tell me……my contect number…9464350500….

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  6. I am Arun K.M., customer of idea and my number is +919964756265. I have applied for porting to Vodafone on 7th may and submitted all necessary documents but my porting out request has been rejected by my present network operator i.e, idea without any acceptable reason for rejection and i am not getting any response from idea customer care. so i am requesting you to solve this problem of porting. Hope i will get positive response from you.

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  7. I am KAMARUDEEN .A, customer of idea and my number is +919176020002. I have applied for porting to UNINOR on 22th may and submitted all necessary documents but my porting out request has been rejected by my present network operator i.e, idea without any acceptable reason for rejection and i am not getting any response from idea customer care. so i am requesting you to solve this problem of porting. Hope i will get positive response from you.

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  8. i want to port in my mobile no 9804612771 from mts to idea so i have got a no dt 18.06.2012 .the port no was yk238698 after 15 days the result was 0. then i have got an another no dt04.07.2012 and port no is yk793727 and due dt is 19.07.2012 still today there is no response so what should i do ?

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  9. My mobile no is 9331226007 i want to port my no from reliance to idea . my 1st port in no is RK538544dt 09.06.2012 and 2nd port in no is RK 554117 dt 01.07.2012. but still today there is no response. so what should i do?

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  10. Any complaint regarding the issue in Mobile Number Portability may please be lodged on http://WWW.PGPORTAL.GOV.IN.

    The complaint received on above portal are regularly monitored by the Departement fo Telecommunications and Telecom Enforcement , Resource and Monitoring Cells offices located in various states of India.
    Any complaitn about fraudulent MNP Porting or Service issue may also be posted there. AS MNP PROBLEMS INVOLVES THREE OPERATOR I.E. DONOR , RECEIVER, MNPO SO IT IS BETTER TO LODGE COMPLAINT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTLY.
    Last year TERM Cell of DOT has redressed several complaints and other investigations in MNP , so please make use of this government tool and online facility.

    http://www.pgportal.gov.in

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  11. Dear

    I am binod kumar. I have generated a rewuest for mnp my postpaid idea mobile to airtel postpaid on 20 nov 2012 after 7 days on 27 nov 2012 my no has disconnected from idea.
    but any team/person/arc/cc/ have no idea that when my mob no will work in airteltel.
    or
    if u have no power to coonect my mob no then don't tell anybody that u r in airtel.
    according to this I will never go in airtel any services in my whole life and I will choose new postpaid connection in idea that according to me idea is the no1 mobile operator in india.

    if u will help me revert immediately I can't wait because I will take idea postpaid connection.
    this is my mob no from 5 yrs.

    my alt no 07503715165.
    bishwa_786h@hotmail.com
    binod kumar

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  12. I want to port docomo my no to vodafone. but docomo no. is on the name of my frend. Do I need to provide document of my frend for porting. Or I can submit my documents also – that will suffice?

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