Airtel, Idea, Loop summoned over rejecting MNP requests

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has tightened its noose around the telecom operators, who have been reluctant to adhere to the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) system. The regulatory body on Wednesday moved a Delhi court against three telecom operators – Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Loop Mobiles – for allegedly rejecting a number of MNP requests by their subscribers. The three telecom operators have been summoned by the court.

While issuing the summon, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav said, "In my considered opinion, there is enough material on record to proceed against the accused persons for offence punishable under section 29 of TRAI Act for violation of Regulation 12 of the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulations. Let accused persons be summoned.”

The telecom regulator in its petition claimed that all telecom operators including Bharti Airtel,Idea and Loop Mobile were asked to furnish compliance of various provisions of the Telecom Portability Regulations after it launched the MNP system in January 2011. The TRAI added when it verified the correctness of compliance by these firms, it found a number of requests for MNP for illegally turned down. In its complaint against Bharti Airtel, the regulator noted that the operator turned down porting requests on grounds of "subscribers having withdrawn porting requests" and "contractual obligations."

After the launch of the MNP system, number of new mobile subscribers has drastically fallen. The portability system allows users to change their network without changing their mobile number. Since its launch, about 258.37 lakh subscribers across the country opted for the number popularity.