The Telecom Commission has given an in-principle approval for the implementation of nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) allowing subscribers to retain numbers even after switching their operator or moving from one service area to another. At present, subscribers are allowed to change their service providers while retaining same number within a circle only.

With the Telecom Commission’s approval for implementing nationwide MNP, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will seek the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s views and clarifications on issues such as enhancement of entry fee, performance bank guarantee and financial bank guarantee and number of players to be involved while implementing nationwide MNP.

Meanwhile, the Telecom Commission has also cleared the proposal for establishing mobile network in the northeastern region along with the revised estimated cost for setting up mobile towers in the Naxal-hit areas. Cabinet will now take a final decision on both the matters. Further, the commission has given in-principle approval to launch mobile services in about 50,000 villages, which are still uncovered. However, it has asked DoT to submit a detailed project report on this.

In addition, the commission has also cleared the proposal to set up government user network over the national optic fibre network, which is being built to connect 250,000 gram panchayats across the country with optical fibre. Meanwhile, the government has again revised the deadline for the project extending it to March 2017. The Rs 200 billion project was approved by the Cabinet in October 2011 and was to be completed within two years which was later extended to March 2016.

The Telecom Commission has also cleared the proposal to set up more units of National Institute for Communication Finance (NICF), which will be responsible for skill development and capacity building for the industry. At present, NICF has one centre in Ghaziabad. The commission will present the proposal before cabinet for its approval.