Indian operators will reportedly be banned from launching new commercial services from September 1 if their networks are not equipped for mobile number portability.
The department of telecom has issued an order which apply to both existing and new operators whose networks are not MNP ready by the deadline, Economic Times reported.
Service providers failed to meet the initial June 30 deadline for the implementation of MNP – a deadline that has since been pushed back to October 31.
But the DoT has now ruled that all inter-operator MNP testing be concluded before September 1.
Both state-owned operators, BSNL and MTNL, are ready to implement MNP, and other operators have reportedly indicated that they will be able to make the October deadline.
But in a threat to the deadline, the home ministry is considering whether to revoke the license of Telecordia, one of the two firms chosen to implement MNP nationally, over security and operational concerns.
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