TRAI, Where the hell is Number portability???

We had been hearing this for years now. I can find articles dating long time back regarding this, but the number portability is still a fairy tale and far far from being a reality. For the last few months i had been so perturbed by a really worse Vodafone network in bangalore. It takes me atleast 5 to 10 tries on an average to make a call in the evening which becomes quite frustrating. Besides, the network strength in the region keeps fluctuating heavily as well. The only reason why i still remain with this network paying well over 1500 bucks a month is i dont want to change my number. I would have moved to Airtel or some other service provider having a better network infrastructure if i were in college and having a pre-paid connection.

Look at this article on why this is such a tough task for TRAI :

http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106012109.asp

With most of the service providers apprehensive of implementing number portability, it appears to be a difficult task for the Telecom Regulator.

Number portability is a system, which would enable a subscriber to retain the same number even while changing the service provider. With the steady growth in the telecom services in India and enhanced competition in the mobile sector, Telecom regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had initiated the move by inviting views on the issue.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) is not in favour of the Telecom Regulator's initiative in introducing the number portability in India. DoT officials are of the view that it is not the right time to introduce number portability.

“Indian telecom industry is still in a nascent stage to introduce number portability. Every operator offers the call forwarding facility, which should be considered as an alternative. This would minimize the burden on the consumers as well as on the operators,” an official said.

The New Telecom Policy provides for implementation of number portability within 12 months of the policy's announcement. TRAI had issued the consultation paper n this issue last year but had to extend the date of receiving the views after GSM operators association Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) sought more time for submitting its views.

According to most of the telecom companies, number portability would bring about additional expenditure on infrastructure about 10 percent. COAI said that implementing number portability is an expensive and complex. The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited is also of the view that there is no urgent necessity of introduction of number portability.

Changes in the numbering scheme and the installation of new equipment – are some of the major concerns of the service providers. They have to invest heavily in storage capacity and billing mechanisms.

More importantly, telecom service providers will need to constantly update their networks. This is because number portability gives the customers the freedom to move to another network, which would offer better service. Above all, who will share the cost of installing the additional network is one of the questions service providers raise.