TRAI has decided to set up a committee to work out the modalities for implementing mobile number portability (MNP).

TRAI has decided to set up a committee to work out the modalities for implementing mobile number portability (MNP). The move comes after the IT and communications ministry’s decision tointroduce the facility in the four metros by the end of 2008. The committee, which will be constituted by operators, industry associations and TEC, will address issues involved in the implementation of MNP with special reference to the methodology, the establishment of a neutral third party for database management, level of centralisation of database in terms of national versus regional set-up, and the time-frame for implementation. The committee will also discuss issues relating to time taken for porting a number and the fee involved in the process.