'Moreover certain technical and commercial issues relating to MNP service are also to be resolved.'

In June, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the sector's watchdog, had issued draft regulations for MNP highlighting the rights, obligations and duties of service providers.

The draft regulations lay down the business process for implementing mobile number portability.

In March, two MNP service providers - one for each zone - were selected -- Syniverse Technologies (in north and western India) and MNP Interconnection Telecom (for east and southern India).