Prime Minister flags off Mobile Number Portability
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has flagged off the nationwide rollout of mobile number portability which means that now mobile users can switch operators without losing their phone numbers and compel service providers to improve the quality of their services.
MNP services were first launched in Haryana in November last year. Nevertheless, companies like Idea Cellular and Vodafone started marketing their services to subscribers in other parts of the country that are looking at switching operators even before MNP services were rolled out.
"I think its a great step forward for the consumer, as it enhances choice and brings in more competition, because the more efficient you are as a service provider, the more likely that consumers will choose you," said Kapil Sibal, Telecom Minister.
Idea Cellular, which started the "No idea? Get Idea'' campaign to win the subscribers of rival telcos, has also set up a toll-free line to assist customers looking to switch operators.
On tariffs, Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL) President & Chief Executive Officer, Vsevolod Rozanov, which offers services under the brand MTS, said, "I think tariffs will go down further especially if we speak about the post-paid customer base that is where we are likely to see the ARPU going down."
For More Details See
www.varindia.com