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India's communications ministry has postponed the deadline for operators to implement mobile number portability for the third time this year, now until December 31.
The enforcement of MNP implementation has now been delayed by a full year – the original MNP deadline was to be December 31, 2009.
But some operators are still not ready with the technical solutions required to ensure MNP, and the one of the parties chosen to implement MNP may be barred from operating in India, Business Standardreported.
The company is MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions – a JV between Telecordia and local firm Deepak Talwar Consultants.
While the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) had previously cleared Telecordia to participate in the MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions venture, it has since threatened to overturn this.
Telecordia picked up a contract to implement MNP in Pakistan, and as a result FIPB has proposed to revoke Telecordia's approval to take part in the venture citing security concerns.
Deepak Talwar also has no experience running a telecom network, so it too is struggling to receive clearance to take part.
Source:
Dylan Bushell-Embling