TRAI fixes MNP, Porting charge and Dipping charge
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India fixes the Mobile Number Portability per port transaction charge and Dipping Charge.MPN allows subscribers to retain their existing telephone number when they move from one access provider to another irrespective of mobile technology or from one cellular to other of same access provider in a licensed service area.
This helps in increasing competition between the service providers and act as a catalyst for service providers to improve their quality of service. Transaction charge, Dipping charge, and porting charge are,
• Per Port Transaction Charge means the charge payable by recipient operator (The operator, where the subscriber is willing to port his number), to MNP services for processing the porting request of a mobile number.
• Dipping Charge means the charge payable by an access provider or an International long distance operator, to the MNP service provider for dipping of each message.
• Porting Charge means such as may be payable by the subscriber to the recipient operator, for porting his mobile number.
Applicable Charges:
• The Per Port Transaction Charge shall be Rs 19/-.
• The Dipping Charge is left to mutual negotiation between the telecom service providers and the respective MNP service providers.
• Porting Charge shall be Rs 19/- and the operators are free to charge any amount less than or equal to this charge.
These charges will come to force on December 31, 2009. For further details visit TRAI website, www.trai.gov.in