MNP Policy: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced an important amendment to the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regulations. Under the new rule, TRAI has introduced a seven-day waiting period for the issuance of the Unique Porting Code (UPC), effective from July 1, 2024.

This amendment aims to combat fraudulent SIM swap activities by preventing the allocation of a UPC if the request is made within seven days of a SIM swap or replacement.

Why this change in MNP policy

The Ninth Amendment to the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulations, 2024, was issued on March 14, 2024. The key change is the addition of a criterion for rejecting UPC requests made within seven days of a SIM swap, enhancing security and preventing scammers from porting mobile numbers fraudulently.

How delaying UPC will prevent SIM Swap frauds

The decision addresses rising incidents of SIM swap fraud, where fraudsters obtain a new SIM card for a victim’s phone number to intercept calls and messages, leading to potential financial and personal data theft. By implementing a mandatory waiting period, TRAI aims to protect mobile users from such frauds, thereby boosting trust in the MNP process.

What is Mobile Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows users to switch telecom operators while retaining their phone numbers. The seven-day waiting period for UPC issuance after a SIM swap adds a protective barrier, ensuring that only legitimate requests are processed and preventing unauthorized porting attempts.