Kapil Sibal the Telecom Minister has announced that by Feb 2013, all of India would be able to change  to any state and any network without changing their number. This Mobile Number portability  MNP, which is currently applicable withing the state only, would be available nationwide by the Feb.

This however, makes things harder for the telecom operators who have a difficult time managing the highly limited resources to serve with the same. There are only two entities that presently manage MNP.

The assignment of spectrum, pricing, unified licenses, guidelines and finalization of the sharing of spectrum, R& D funds, MNP available nationwide were among the few things Sibal listed on the agenda for three months by Feb.

However the kink in the rope is that you have to be a postpaid user to make use of the facility. However, he stayed silent on the Zero Roaming proposal which was earlier promised by Feb.

While the government is in the final stages to decide on the one-India tariff plan that is likely to put an end to roaming charges; the mobile operators who would be forced financially said that they would raise the call tariffs to balance the losses.

(AW- Anil)