The government is likely to miss the April 14, 2014 deadline of implementing nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) by another six months. The delay is on account of the Department of Telecommunications’ (DOT) inability to decide on the agency which will be responsible for managing the MNP system on a pan-India basis.

At present, two companies - Syniverse and Telcordia-have the required licences for managing the MNP system in two separate zones in the country. However, with the rollout of nationwide MNP, DoT is divided on the issue of whether to continue with the services of these two players or float a tender for appointing two new agencies.  Currently, DoT is examining the option of continuing with the service of these two companies and making requisite changes in the agreements signed with them to include a pan-India mandate. The other concern area before DoT is whether the companies should be limited to their respective zones or be given the mandate to implement MNP in each other’s territory as well.

The DoT has written to the Telecom Commission seeking a final decision on the matter.