<p>MNP has not only ushered in fresh competition among GSM operators, but between GSM and CDMA operators as well.<br /><br />State-owned BSNL has announced to provide free 2G and 3G connections, besides free talktime to MNP customers migrating to BSNL.<br /><br />“The SIM card for 2G/3G shall be provided free of cost, along with an additional talk value of Rs 100 for prepaid customers,” BSNL said in a statement. BSNL also said it will focus on getting more corporate clients, offering them unlimited free national calls between all landlines and mobile phones within its network. <br /><br />Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL), which offers CDMA services under MTS brand name, said it will offer a range of smartphones through easy monthly instalment (EMI) options, along with free talktime.<br /><br />Besides, CDMA customers switching to MTS would be offered half paisa per second tariff for all local calls valid for three months on buying the first recharge coupon of Rs 13.<br />Apart from wooing new customers, telcos are also launching innovative schemes to retain existing customers.<br /><br />Loop Mobile, which operates in Mumbai, has launched a new offer under which its subscribers will get minimum 0.50 paise per minute for every call-drop in Mumbai and Thane. Uninor, the JV company between Norwegian firm Telenor and Unitech, said the company will go with its Dynamic Pricing scheme to attract pre-paid subscribers to its network.<br /><br />Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while launching service here on Thursday, said that the MNP would force the companies to focus on innovative and quality service to retain and increase their customer base. However analysts say the new service would only see around 6-7 per cent of existing users to switch to other operators. <br /><br />They also say that after the first few months, the churn rate will stabilise as operators improve their networks to retain existing subscribers.<br /><br />Focus on service<br /><br />Companies like Idea Cellular and Vodafone had started marketing their services even before the nationwide roll-out of MNP to woo subscribers from other networks that were already looking at switching operators.<br /><br />Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said that as every circle has 10 to 12 service providers, the companies have big responsibility to please customers to retain their base. He said customers is the king with the rolling out of MNP. <br /><br />14 steps to switch your mobile operator<br /><br />1. Send an SMS to 1900 in the following format: PORT - eg. PORT 9999999999. <br />2 .You will get an SMS reply that contains a unique porting code. <br />3. SMS to the preferred operator quoting the unique code. This code is valid only for a few days, and if it expires you must apply again. <br />4. The subscriber will need to apply in the prescribed application form to the chosen new service provider quoting the UPC which will act as a reference while filling up the application form with new service provider.<br />5. Your existing operator will verify with the new operator whether the customer have any dues. If there is no due the existing operator will give approval for porting.<br />6. You will get an SMS on the time and date when porting will take place. Rules mandate that the process be completed within 7 working days of applying.<br />7. Once the porting is complete, you will get an SMS from your new operator confirming the change. However while porting takes place, your phone may be dead for about 2 hours. <br />8. MNP service can be opted for by both GSM and CDMA subscribers and also pre-paid and post-paid customers.<br />9. Customers can also switch over to GSM service to CDMA or vice-versa if they want. <br />10. Portability is possible only within the circle and not outside. This means, if you are a mobile subscriber in Bangalore, you can opt for switching over to a new service provider only in Bangalore not in Chennai or Mumbai. <br />11. The cost of porting a number to a new operator is Rs 19 which will be collected by your new service operator. <br />12. Customers will have to remain with the new operator for three months and only then go in for another service provider. <br />13. Post-paid subscribers, before making the porting request, have to make sure that their last bill has been paid failing which the request for change to new a service provider shall be rejected. <br />14. In the case of pre-paid subscribers, any balance amount left will not be carried forward when the number is transferred to the new service provider.</p>
<p>MNP has not only ushered in fresh competition among GSM operators, but between GSM and CDMA operators as well.<br /><br />State-owned BSNL has announced to provide free 2G and 3G connections, besides free talktime to MNP customers migrating to BSNL.<br /><br />“The SIM card for 2G/3G shall be provided free of cost, along with an additional talk value of Rs 100 for prepaid customers,” BSNL said in a statement. BSNL also said it will focus on getting more corporate clients, offering them unlimited free national calls between all landlines and mobile phones within its network. <br /><br />Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL), which offers CDMA services under MTS brand name, said it will offer a range of smartphones through easy monthly instalment (EMI) options, along with free talktime.<br /><br />Besides, CDMA customers switching to MTS would be offered half paisa per second tariff for all local calls valid for three months on buying the first recharge coupon of Rs 13.<br />Apart from wooing new customers, telcos are also launching innovative schemes to retain existing customers.<br /><br />Loop Mobile, which operates in Mumbai, has launched a new offer under which its subscribers will get minimum 0.50 paise per minute for every call-drop in Mumbai and Thane. Uninor, the JV company between Norwegian firm Telenor and Unitech, said the company will go with its Dynamic Pricing scheme to attract pre-paid subscribers to its network.<br /><br />Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while launching service here on Thursday, said that the MNP would force the companies to focus on innovative and quality service to retain and increase their customer base. However analysts say the new service would only see around 6-7 per cent of existing users to switch to other operators. <br /><br />They also say that after the first few months, the churn rate will stabilise as operators improve their networks to retain existing subscribers.<br /><br />Focus on service<br /><br />Companies like Idea Cellular and Vodafone had started marketing their services even before the nationwide roll-out of MNP to woo subscribers from other networks that were already looking at switching operators.<br /><br />Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said that as every circle has 10 to 12 service providers, the companies have big responsibility to please customers to retain their base. He said customers is the king with the rolling out of MNP. <br /><br />14 steps to switch your mobile operator<br /><br />1. Send an SMS to 1900 in the following format: PORT - eg. PORT 9999999999. <br />2 .You will get an SMS reply that contains a unique porting code. <br />3. SMS to the preferred operator quoting the unique code. This code is valid only for a few days, and if it expires you must apply again. <br />4. The subscriber will need to apply in the prescribed application form to the chosen new service provider quoting the UPC which will act as a reference while filling up the application form with new service provider.<br />5. Your existing operator will verify with the new operator whether the customer have any dues. If there is no due the existing operator will give approval for porting.<br />6. You will get an SMS on the time and date when porting will take place. Rules mandate that the process be completed within 7 working days of applying.<br />7. Once the porting is complete, you will get an SMS from your new operator confirming the change. However while porting takes place, your phone may be dead for about 2 hours. <br />8. MNP service can be opted for by both GSM and CDMA subscribers and also pre-paid and post-paid customers.<br />9. Customers can also switch over to GSM service to CDMA or vice-versa if they want. <br />10. Portability is possible only within the circle and not outside. This means, if you are a mobile subscriber in Bangalore, you can opt for switching over to a new service provider only in Bangalore not in Chennai or Mumbai. <br />11. The cost of porting a number to a new operator is Rs 19 which will be collected by your new service operator. <br />12. Customers will have to remain with the new operator for three months and only then go in for another service provider. <br />13. Post-paid subscribers, before making the porting request, have to make sure that their last bill has been paid failing which the request for change to new a service provider shall be rejected. <br />14. In the case of pre-paid subscribers, any balance amount left will not be carried forward when the number is transferred to the new service provider.</p>
