MTNL opposes number portability

State-run MTNL has opposed introduction of number portability - a facility to subscribers to retain the same mobile number even after changing service providers.

In its written comment to TRAI, MTNL has stated that mobile number portability need not be considered for introduction at present, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shakeel Ahmad said in the Rajya Sabha.

BSNL has not given its views. MTNL's total outstanding from subscribers stands at Rs 1,509.01 crore (Rs 15.09 billion) as on October 31, 2005, he said.

To encourage indigenous manufacture of mobile phones, the government has exempted all required inputs from customs duty and excise duty has also been exempted on manufacture of mobile phones, Ahmad said.