If you are unhappy with the quality of service of your current mobile service provider and want to shift service providers without having to change your phone number, you will now be able to do so seamlessly. All a matter of submitting an application and waiting for a couple of days.

The TRAI on Wednesday announced a framework for 'mobile number portability' which will allow subscribers, who fulfill TRAI's basic requirements to switch service providers without changing numbers.

You will be eligible to shift providers only if you have been a subscriber of your mobile operator for more than 90 days, and have no outstanding payments due towards the operator. The basic steps for changing service providers are:

• You need to submit an application to both, the provider you are moving from and the provider you are moving to.
• Once the application is submitted, your provider will validate your application within 24 hours.
• If you meet all the basic requirements, your application will be approved and your provider will be shifted within 36 hours. For subscribers in Kashmir, Assam and North East service areas, this deadline is set to 10 days.
• Providers may charge a fee for this service.
• If you change your mind, you may revoke your application within 24 hours. The fee however will not be refunded.

A complete list of requirements and guidelines can be found in section 10 through section 12 of the TRAI press regulation. A word of warning though, it is not an easy read. Download it from here: http://bit.ly/14wVpz