Telecom operators in India have started rolling out nationwide Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service from today, July 3, to meet a deadline set by the government.

Reliance Communications, Idea, Vodafone, Airtel and even BSNL and MTNL will allow subscribers to retain their mobile numbers even if they shift to a new place.

The MNP service will also facilitate the subscribers to choose the telecom operator of their choice without changing their numbers.

Other private players such as Videocon, Uninor and Sistema Shyam Teleservices also said they will roll out the service to meet the July 3 deadline fixed by the government.

The subscribers can also enjoy special offers such as processing requests to port within Airtel's network within 24 hours and free incoming on roaming until the portability request is processed, Airtel said.

Idea Cellular said it has enabled its network to launch the DoT mandated MNP services for mobile users across India. The company has been the MNP leader with more than 14 million net gain of customers so far, through intra circle MNP services.

Reliance Communications said it is ready to introduce MNP nationally from July 3 onwards. It also plans to offer attractive plans to retain customers.