The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued a new rule about the speed at which you can change your mobile service provider. It has to do with "mobile number portability," so let's break it down to find out what it means and why this is important.
What is the new rule?
TRAI has decided that in case of the issue of a new SIM card, you will have to wait 7 days for the movement of a telephone number to another mobile company. The waiting period starts from the day you activate your new SIM card.
What does it mean for you?
In case you have taken a new SIM card, either due to loss or damage of the old one, you cannot use it with another operator for at least one week. You first have to get it activated with the present mobile company.
Why has TRAI introduced this stipulation?
According to TRAI, this new rule has been implemented to prevent fraud and to safeguard mobile users. They felt that some people were misusing the system by changing phone numbers between different companies in a matter of minutes for fraudulent activities like scams or other related illegal activities.
What is Mobile Number Portability?
First, to know why this rule matters, one must know what is meant by mobile number portability. Also referred to as MNP, mobile number portability is that provision of service that allows you to have a phone number of your choice even if you switch from one mobile company to another.
For example, if you are not comfortable with the mobile service you are using at the moment and seek to switch to another service provider, then you are at liberty to do so without changing your mobile number. This is very convenient since you will avoid alignments that involve informing all your contacts about a new number and also you continue to have the number you are used to.
How does Mobile Number Portability usually work?
Normally, if you want to switch Mobile companies but retain your number, this is what you do:
1. You call up a new mobile company that interests you.
2. You ask them to "port" your number, which means transferring the number from your old company to the new one.
3. The new company initiates the process, and within a few days, your number is ported to their network.
4. Your service from the old company is discontinued and using the same phone number you start using the service from the new company.
How has this process differed from the new rule?
The new rule adds one step more if you have recently got a new SIM card. Now this shall be the process:
1. You get a new SIM card from your current mobile company.
2. You activate the new SIM card.
3. You wait for 7 days.
4. After 7 days, you can start a normal mobile number portability procedure if you want to switch companies.
Why is a SIM card necessary?
The SIM card simply means Subscriber Identity Module. It is a small chip that a user fits into their phone. All the important information concerning the mobile account is stored on this chip, including the mobile number of the owner. The SIM card connects the user's phone to their mobile company's network when it is fitted into the phone.
You may need a new SIM card in the following instances:
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You have lost your phone.
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Your old SIM is damaged.
• You are replacing your existing type of SIM card with another type of SIM card, for instance, "regular SIM to nano-SIM"
• Your mobile provides a new one due to some technical issues
Problem TRAI is trying to solve?
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India believes that some users were misusing the mobile number portability facility to their benefit in a manner that was potentially detrimental. The following is how to do it:
1. A person would complain of his SIM card as lost/stolen.
2. An immediate request for a new SIM would ensue.
3. They would immediately apply for their number to be ported to another mobile company.
4.快速-switching has been used to conceal identity or evade being located for some illegal activities. With this proposed 7-day waiting period, TRAI is hoping to make it more difficult for people to misapply the facilities in this manner.
How does this thwart fraud?
Now, with the introduction of the 7 days, a few more things can be granted the time to occur. One is the fact that if someone has stolen your identity to get a new SIM card in your name, then you have more time to notice this and then report it. The mobile companies will have more time to verify that the person asking for a new SIM and switching companies is the actual owner of the number.
3. Provided that some suspicious activity occurs on the new SIM card, there will be enough time to trace and block it before the number can be transferred to another company.
What is the viewpoint of the mobile company in this regard?
Most mobile companies welcome this new rule. For them, the prime motive is to save their customers from fraud, and at the same time, they want to make sure that facilities extended under mobile number portability are utilized for the right purpose: allowing customers liberty of choice in selecting a service provider of their choice, not to aid people in concealing identity.
Are there any drawbacks to this new rule?
While this is set to defend the customer, there are a few possible perceived disadvantages:
1. It may prove to be an inconvenience for those people who want to change providers within a short time after ordering a new SIM card.
2. It would delay switching in some cases at least until the bundle expires.
3. Another step to remember when planning to change a mobile company
What should you do if you need to switch providers?
Here's what you need to know if you're planning to port to a new mobile company:
1. When was the last time you got a new SIM card? If it was more than 7 days ago, then at any time, you can initiate the mobile number portability process.
2. Have you gotten a new SIM card in the past 7 days? Note down when this waiting period will end.
3. After the 7 days have lapsed, you can contact the new mobile company you want to subscribe to and initiate the process of porting your number.
4. Note that even after the 7 period is done, the actual time taken to shift companies usually takes a few more days.
What if you need to urgently change operators?
In case you are found in a situation where you are desperate to change to another mobile company just after being issued a new SIM card, you have the following options:
1. Wait for 7 days. This is the simplest option, though probably not very ideal if you are in a hurry.
2. Get a new number from the new provider. You should now be able to sign up with their new provider and get a new phone number if you have run out of patience. You could then give this new number to your important contacts.
3. Call forwarding: A call-forwarding service from most mobile phone companies is an available option. You can very well set up your old number to eventually forward calls to the new number until you can transfer your number completely.
4. Contact TRAI or your mobile company. Only in very, very exceptional situations, you will be able to explain and plead for a special exemption. But this is not dependent and, in most probability, will happen only in extreme cases.
How does this compare with rules in other countries?
The different countries have their own rules about the setting up of mobile number portability. Some examples:
- The United States—porting a number normally takes 1 to 2 business days; there is no waiting period required to wait after obtaining a new SIM card.
- You will be allowed to switch providers in one working day in the United Kingdom, and you will have the facility to do this by text message—subject to providing the necessary details.
• In Australia, ports between major providers can happen within a few hours, but ports involving smaller providers take 1-3 business days.
The 7-day waiting period is rather long compared to many other countries. But again, every country has its different set of problems to be concerned about while keeping the fraudsters at bay and saving consumers from their clutches.
What more is being done by TRAI to safeguard the mobile user?
The new rule forms part of several initiatives that the TRAI has taken in the interest of mobile users across India. Some of these initiatives are:
1. Mobile companies have to verify new customers' identities before issuing a SIM card.
2. Guidelines relating to how the mobile companies may market their services, making sure there are no misleading claims.
3. Parameters related to mobile Internet speeds and service quality.
4. Laying down rules for unwanted commercial calls/SMS.
How would you protect your interests when you are a user of mobile services?
Though TRAI and mobile companies will try to safeguard users' interest, there are also some precautions to be taken by users themselves to his safe :
1. Never allow your SIM card/phone to go out of your possession.
2. Never disclose your SIM PIN and all passwords related to your mobile account.
3. Be careful while sharing your phone number, more so on the internet.
4. In case of loss of phone or SIM card, intimate it to the concerned telecom company immediately.
5. Never give any personal information to unsolicited calls or SMSes that are impersonating to be from a mobile operator company.
6. Review your mobile bill periodically for any objectionable charges.
What is the future of mobile number portability?
Technology may alter in the future, and in case it does, this can be the way we will make use of and handle our mobile services. This may include, but is not limited to, the following developments:
1. Faster porting times: At an increased level of technological advancement, it might well be possible for people to change providers even more quickly and easily.
2. eSIMs: In days ahead, electronic SIMs that are hardwired into the phone could make switching providers easier by eliminating a physical SIM card.
3. Advanced fraud detection: Next-generation AI and machine learning could do a much better job of analyzing transactions for fraud detection and prevention, which may then allow for shorter periods.
4. Global number portability: Maybe soon, moving to another country will allow retaining the same phone number.
Conclusion
The TRAI has introduced a 7-day waiting period for mobile number portability given a SIM swap, to save users from fraud and probable misuse of the system. It may cause some short-term inconvenience, though this is part of a larger effort by regulators towards making mobile services in India safer and more dependable.
In other words, one should be very much concerned about these rules as a mobile user and take measures for the protection of his mobile security. Prioritizing mobile number portability by knowing very well how it works, along with regulatory initiatives, will make optimum use of your mobile while keeping you safe.
In case of any problems or concerns regarding mobile service or number portability, the customer is free to contact their mobile company or TRAI. Armed with this information, a customer can fully exploit mobile technology with reduced risks.
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