Indian Mobile User

India mobile users in larger cities and the biggest states will be able to retain their mobile number even if they switch operator from September, the telecoms minister said on Thursday.

Andimuthu Raja told parliament the government would announce on March 5 the successful bidders which will operate the mobile number portability (MNP) system and award letters of intent.

"MNP is to be implemented in all 'Metro' and Category 'A' service areas within six months of the award of the licence and in rest of the service areas within one year of the award of the licence," the minister said in a written statement. (Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy)