The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced a fresh twist to the rules on switching mobile networks. In their latest update, they’ve put in place a seven-day waiting period for anyone who’s just gotten a new SIM card and wants to move their number to a different carrier.
What to know: This move marks the ninth amendment to the mobile number portability (MNP) guidelines since they first came out in 2009.
So, what’s this all about? Essentially, if you’ve just replaced your SIM card for any reason — be it a loss, damage, or an upgrade — you’ll need to wait a week before you can jump ship to a new mobile service provider while keeping your old number.
This process, known as SIM porting, is a handy way to switch networks without losing your number. Normally, you can do this switcheroo once every three months.
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The backdrop to this new rule is an effort to clamp down on fraud. With the increase in phone number scams, TRAI’s latest regulation aims to add an extra layer of security, making it tougher for fraudsters to hijack your number through a SIM swap.
By introducing a mandatory cooling-off period, TRAI hopes to protect users from unauthorized number transfers, ensuring their mobile number remains safe from the clutches of scammers.
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