All About Mobile Number Portability (MNP), Complete Guide

Today in this post I will talk about Mobile Number Portability (MNP). Mobile Number Portability is the most awaited in all over India and is finally launched on 20^th January 2011. Haryana is the first state to try it this out, in Haryana it was launched on 27^th November 2010 for testing purpose and more than 80,000 people have changed their mobile network operator using MNP. Now let me tell you what and how of Mobile number portability (MNP)

Let me tell you first how you can change your operator, here how you can

1. Send a SMS “PORT <Your Mobile Number>  to 1900
   Massage Body: PORT 9812345678
   Send to: 1900
2. Now you will receive a SMS from 1901 with a Unique Porting Code with an expiry date and time after which that code will not work if you didn’t port your number before that date
3. Now go to the nearest  Official store of the respective mobile operator you want and collect a form for mobile portability
4. Now fill that form and also in that form you need to give the Unique Porting Code (UPC) which you got while sending an SMS to 1900
5. Then submit that form to that operator from where you have collected it
6. And within seven days your number will get port to new operator

Q.1) What is Mobile number portability (MNP)?
A.1) Mobile Number Portability or MNP let you continue with your current mobile telephone numbers when you are changing from one mobile network operator to another.

Q.2) If I didn’t port my number before the expiry date of Unique Porting Code, will I not able to port anymore?
A.2) In general UPC expires after 15 days from the day you sent the SMS to 1900. And Yes, you will able to port even after UPC get expire but you have to resend the same SMS and you will get a new Unique Porting Code (UPC) which you can use it to apply.

Q.3) Will I able to transfer my current prepaid balance to new operator?
A.3) No, you will not able to transfer your current prepaid balance to new operator.

Q.4) In the process my mobile number will get disconnect?
A.4) Yes in the seven days process your mobile number will get disconnect for two hours, in the night between 11 PM to 5 AM (IST).

Q.5) Will I get charge for porting my number?
A.5) Yes, you will be changed of Rs.19 for porting your number by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), which you need to pay to your new operator.

Q.6) How many time I will able to change my operator?
A.6) As for now there is no limit, you can port your number as much time as you want. But you need to complete 90 days with the new operator after porting.

Q.7) I am currently using my number in West Bengal and want to port it to Delhi, will I able to do that?
A.7) No, you will not able to port your number from one state to another, you need to port within the circle (state).

Q.8) How old my number should be to port it to new operator?
A.8) Your number should be 90 days old before you can apply for porting.

Q.9) Only prepaid or only postpaid subscribers will able to take advantage of MNP?
A.9) Both prepaid and postpaid subscriber can take advantage of MNP.

Q.10) Will I able to take advantage of MNP without carry forwarding my dues of existing operator?
A.10) No, there should be no dues before you port your number to new operator.

Q.11) What are documents I need to carry when I go to apply for MNP?
A.11) You need to carry Proof Of Identity (POI) and Proof Of Address (POA)

Q.12) Will able to shift from CDMA to GSM or GSM to CDMA on MNP?
A.12) Yes you can shift from CDMA to GSM or GSM to CDMA in MNP, just you should have supported mobile for that.

Q.13) Will I able to cancel my MNP request?
A.13) Yes, you can cancel your MNP request within 24 hours from the time you requested for MNP, with a written application.

Q.14) Will I get refund of Rs. 19 porting after I cancel MNP request?
A.14) No, you will not get your refund of Rs. 19 after once you made the request for MNP by submitting the form.

Q.15) Can in use MNP for my landline phone?
A.15)  As MNP is Mobile Number Portability so it is only for mobile not for landline or any other, so answer is No.

Q.16) Will I get a new SIM card from new operator?
A.16) yes, you will get a new SIM from new operator before your number gets ported.

Q.17) Do I have to return my old SIM card?
A.17) No, in any case you don’t need to return your old SIM card.

Q.18) If I have Vodafone number register on my name and I want to transfer it to other person’s name during the process of MNP, is it possible to do?
A.18) No, you can’t transfer the number to the other person’s name during the process of MNP.

Q.19) How will I get to know, now I have to change my old SIM card with the new one or how will I get to know my number is ported to new operator?
A.19) You will get an SMS with the date and time of porting so according to that you can change your SIM card.

For testing purpose I sent an SMS to 1900 and afterwards I got a call from my operator regarding why I want to port my number. So you have a chance to demand what you want from your mobile network operator.  :p

So if you are going to change your operator then do let us know by commenting below and also with the reason so other also can know about that operator. And if I have missed any questions which you want to know regarding MNP do let me know by commenting below.

6 reasons why college is the best time to launch a start up

There’s been a lot of talk as of late regarding young entrepreneurs and the paths available to them; PayPal cofounder Peter Theil is going as far as to give 20 teams of entrepreneurs under 20 a two-year $100,000 fellowship on which to fund their next big ideas. Unfortunately, there simply aren’t that many investors out there to fund ideas from mostly unproven young adults, so it remains up to the entrepreneur to do it on their own.

For young adults, the best place to flex your entrepreneurial muscle is while you are in college — or at the very least when you are young enough to not be bogged down with a career.

College is a great place to start your venture as you have lots of free time, access to a large pool of human capital and your school can provide much-needed support. The following six points are what I have based my college endeavors around:

1. Plan for the “bridge” between college and real life

One of my main goals as a student entrepreneur was financially bridging the gap between college and the post-college world, better known as “real life”. I made it my goal to find a way to make just enough money on my own to not need a traditional job once I’m out of school.

Once you get a job, starting your own company is much harder. You’re committed to working full-time and it’s easy to become comfortable with a steady salary. I understood the chances of hitting a home run with a successful start up was low, but also that getting a full-time job lowered the chances of ever becoming a successful entrepreneur even more.

In my teens I began creating websites for fun, and eventually turned towards making websites for profit. While the sites were functional and cash flow positive, I knew they would never get big enough to sustain me. I used these ventures successively as springboards to my next idea, gradually creating more complex and successful sites.

I knew that if I kept moving, and kept thinking bigger, I could get to the point where I am today — 22 and the owner of an angel-backed start up. The odds of you hitting it big with your first venture are stacked against you, make sure you have experience running a venture, no matter how small, before you begin investing in a big concept.

2. If you’re not technical, NETWORK!

Every campus has teachers and other students that you can learn from. Find them. Find the teachers that are willing to help you create your business plan, marketing plan, or set up other introductions. If you’re not technical, network with peers who are. Sell them on your start up idea and offer equity in exchange for their services. Stop by the computer science building and post some fliers about your project. Someone is bound to see it and catch some interest.

In my case I looked for students who saw themselves as entrepreneurs. I didn’t need someone who could do a task, I needed people who were creative and innovative. One of my team members, Andrew Chalmers, was a semi-finalist in a business concept contest for Entrepreneur Magazine, obviously this was someone who has outstanding business talent and I’m excited to have him working with me.

Also, start networking outside of your campus. For example, you could work as a volunteer at a conference in order to get free admission. I did this for the Techcrunch Disrupt conference this past fall and ended up working speaker registration. I got to meet Peter Theil, Gina Bianchini, Kevin Hartz, and many other CEOs of large companies. I doubt they remember me but it was still an awesome experience to say the least! Opportunity is everywhere, go out and find it.

3. Take advantage of the business competitions on campus

I’ve never really been a fan of business competitions, primarily because of their notorious emphasis on business plans. Your business idea will change so much it’s mind blowing — so much so that writing a business plan could be counter productive.

This year, however, I won first place in the Fall 2010 CSU Chico Business Competition for my current start up, Bizness Apps, which led to my first angel investors. Two teachers involved in the competition were so impressed with my start up that they set up a lunch meeting with my current investors. Take advantage of these opportunities – even if the first place cash prize is only $300 bucks!

You never know who will be in attendance at these events, and at the very least it gives you valuable experience in pitching a concept in a professional setting. By entering business competitions you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Don’t worry about people stealing your idea – if you don’t win the contest why would a contestant want to steal a losing idea? On the flip side, if you win people will look to you as the person who can pull the concept off.

4. Learn outside of the classroom

Build a library full of business books and read all of them. Learn to read a book in a day or two. Scan through the parts that you’re already familiar with in order to get through the book quickly. I usually aim to read 3-4 books a week. Teach yourself everything you need to know in order to make your start up successful.

Be very selective and know what you are looking to take away from every book. I wanted to focus on effective simplicity, which led me to the book Rework by the founders of 37Signals. When I wanted to learn about the early stages of startup life, I read Founders at Work by Y Combinator founding partner Jessica Livingston, a collection of interviews with largely successful entrepreneurs.

When you set out to acquire knowledge, be sure it’s relevant to your situation.

5. Use your surroundings for business idea inspiration

It only makes sense when setting out on your venture to immerse yourself in something you are knowledgeable and passionate about. In my case I looked towards my obsession with my iPhone, and I began paying attention to how smart phones were changing the way people interacted with businesses.

It wasn’t very long before I realized that there was an enormous opportunity to help the average business owner connect with their clientele on a mobile level. While I knew that a business would love to have a presence in the pocket of their customers at all times, I also wanted there to be a significant value for the person using the app as well. By looking towards my own habits, and that of my peers, I was able to develop a solution that was beneficial to both the business and consumer.

Talk often with your target markets to be sure you’re on the right path. It is so easy to get carried away with an idea that you think is great but offers little to no real value to your clients. It seems obvious, but always pay attention to feedback and structure your decisions around what your environment is telling you.

6. Just do it

This is probably my biggest piece of advice for college entrepreneurs: just do it! There is no better time in your life to start a company. You have little to no responsibilities, you’re surrounded my people who can help you, and now is the best time in your life to take on risk!

Got a business idea you’ve been bouncing around in your head? Just do it. Don’t wait until tomorrow, next week, or next month. Start building traction today.

In my experience, the biggest hurdle of starting a business is actually doing it. When you start a business, it’s fine not to know everything or even have a ‘solid’ business plan. In fact, most companies deviate significantly from their original plan! These things will fall into place and the things you learn along the way will last a lifetime. To get to this point though, you have to stop planning and start doing.

I’m a huge supporter of the “minimum viable product” business strategy, which advocates to move quickly, get your product out fast, and improve your product with feedback. You shove your product out into the market knowing it has bugs, knowing it could be improved — but you do this to simply start building your business.

By implementing this strategy you are building traction everyday. You stop thinking and you start acting. This is the single biggest step for an entrepreneur. Just do it!