Mobile number portability (MNP) is a service that allows subscribers to retain their existing mobile telephone number when they switch from one service provider to another or from one technology to another of the same service provider.
"Mobile number portability will come by the end of this year," Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura said.
Talking about the delay in implementation of MNP, he said, "It is a new thing... regulations are being prepared on this." Earlier, the government had said that MNP would come by September this year.
The Department of Telecommunications had issued guidelines for its implementation in the country in August last year. Subsequently, the DoT issued licences to two companies each serving a separate zone in the country. Telecom regulator TRAI is working on regulations and the charges for the same.
Trai Chairman J S Sarma said, "Trai already came out with the draft on regulations...we have an open house on this on July 27."
