According to news reports, TRAI is expected to come out with a consultation paper on mobile number portability soon. Number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers even while switching to a new service provider. Initially, number portability is expected to be limited to mobile services. However, number portability may increase infrastructure costs by about 10 per cent, leading to some increase in tariffs. There may also be opposition from some segments like the incumbent operators. The final regulations will be formulated once TRAI receives responses to its consultation paper.
