With the National Mobile Number Portability (MNP) becoming a reality from Friday, one can retain the mobile number while changing cities. The much-awaited proposal will enable the customer to keep the existing phone number while shifting.

The operators such as Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, R-Com and state run BSNL and MTNL have started giving out full MNP plans.

Presently, a customer was paying roaming charges outside the home city, except for BSNL. Also, billing was made on STD rates for calls. A full MNP will help one do away with these charges as the new city will become the home base without any change in the mobile number.

With 22 circles or telecom zones, India had allowed intra-circle number portability till now which meant one could change the operator within the same city. Now this is allowed on a pan-India basis.