Draft rules for full number portability issued by TRAI

 Telecom regulator TRAI has issued draft regulations to facilitate full mobile number portability, which is set to start from May 3.

The full or nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) will allow consumers to change service provider in any part of the country while retaining their existing number.

At present, mobile number portability allows consumers to change their service provider within a telecom circle which in most cases is limited to a state.

The Department of Telecom on November 3, 2014, issued amendments to the MNP Licence Agreement and asked telecom operators to implement full MNP within a period of six months from the date of amendment.

In the new amendment, the telecom regulator wants to introduce a clause to safeguard interest of post-paid mobile service users who face disconnection in new network even after clearing all their dues of their old service provider.

 TRAI has sought public comments on the subject by February 6, 2015.