Mobile Number Portability is here!

Yes, you heard it right. Finally the much awaited Number Portability has become a reality in India. It was launched in Haryana on Thursday, 24th Nov 2010. And by the beginning of 2011, it will be available to all the subscribers in India. In simple words, Number Portability allows consumers to retain their phone numbers even when they switch operators. Now this is going to benefit both the consumers as well as the service providers. How? Well, here in this post, I've gathered some information about it from various sources so that it can help people to have more idea about it.

What is Number Portability?

Number Portability allows consumers and businesses to keep their existing telephone numbers when they switch operators. It, literally, means that numbers are portable from operator to operator - whether that opertor is a mobile, wireline, or VoIP service provider.

How does it benefit the consumer?

It gives subscribers the freedom to choose operators based on criteria like services, price, and customer service. Their freedom of movement is not influenced by the inconveniences and costs that come with changing numbers.

How does it benefit the operators?

It also makes it easier for operators to compete for customers, precisely because it eliminates a major barrier to churn - that is, reluctance to change numbers. Although this increased risk of churn is a concern among some operators, number portability has been a huge success around the world, because it helps to level the playing field, giving all operators more opportunities to grow their subscriber bases and revenues.

(Source: MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions)

How to Port your Number?

The six simple and quick steps for porting your number is shown in the image below.

(Source: LiveMint.com)

How much will it cost you?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has fixed a ceiling of Rs. 19 as porting charges that the new service provider may collect from the subscriber. The money will go to the clearing house for facilitating the service.

For pre-paid customers, do note that migrating your number to a new carrier will mean that you shall be losing any prepaid balance that you have in your existing account. So remember to use up all your carrier minutes before you approach the new carrier.

Post-paid users need to remember that the MNP application could be rejected if you have not completely paid all your dues with the existing carrier. Make sure your last bill has been paid for.

I hope these informations would help you in understanding what Number Portability means and how you can change your service provider without changing your number.

Fastest Century in One Day Cricket was from Sachin Tendulkar's bat.

I found this interesting news from various websites. I was really surprised and excited by this news. As i'm a die hard Sachin Tendulkar fan, any news about Sachin excites me.

Shahid Afridi, who was playing his debut ODI against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, Kenya in 1996, used the bat which actually belonged to the Master Blaster and one the best cricketer in the world cricket history. Shahid Afridi went on the score the fastest century in One Day Cricket in that match, just taking 37 balls which included 11 sixes and 6 fours. The records still stands as an unbreakable record.

The bat was once gifted to Waqar Younis from Sachin Tendulkar and he had asked him to make similar model bats from Sialkot, Pakistan. Waqar gave the bat to Afridi when he was making the debut for Pakistan and wished him that "it could be lucky as it belonged to a great player".

Shahid Afridi has scored many other good scores with that particular bat and he values it a lot. He had got many offers to auction the bat. But he had put down all those because of the emotional attachment with the bat and has no intention to auction it in the future as well.

Mickey Mouse Loses his Voice!

It's a sad new for all Mickey Mouse lovers... Mickey Mouse loses his voice for the 3rd time.

Yes, Wayne Allwine, 62, the actor who has been giving voice to Mickey Mouse for the past 30 years died on Monday, 18th May, 2009 because of complications from Diabetes.

Wayne Allwine had dedicated his entire professional life to Walt Disney and have given so much joy, happiness and comfort to so many around the world by giving voice to the most beloved iconic character, Mickey Mouse.

He was born in Glendale, California. He joined Walt Disney in the year 1966 where he took his job in the mail room. He went on to work in the sound effects department and began voicing the company's main mouse in 1977 after using his natural falsetto to win an open audition.

Allwine was only the third man to give voice to Mickey Mouse. The first person to give the voice was Walt Disney himself. He gave the voice to the mouse from 1928 to 1947, after which he passed the role to Jimmy MacDonald who was the studio's sound effects wizard. Jimmy MacDonald was the mentor of Allwine and while passing on the reins to him, he said, "Just Remember kid, you're only filling in for the boss."

"Mickey is the real star. You know you just have to love the little guy while you have him, because he won't be yours forever". These were the words of Wayne Allwine.

Allwine first gave the voice for Mickey in the television. After which he gave his voice in various movies like "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), "The Prince and the Pauper" (1990), and for the Disney Theme Parks, Radios and Live Stage Events.

He is survived by his wife, Russi Taylor, whom he married in Hawaii in 1981. She is one of the most famous voice actresses in Hollywood and is the voice of Minnie since 1986.