NEW DELHI: The much-awaited mobile number portability (MNP) service that allows subscribers to change operators but retain the mobile number will be available from November, Union minister for communications A Raja said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The minister said the official announcement of MNP availability will be made on November 1, followed by a first phase roll out in 11 circles in north and west India from third week of November.

“MNP would be partially operational from November 1. We wanted to inaugurate it in Haryana,” said Mr Raja. Syniverse Technologies , one of the two joint ventures selected by the department of telecom, will implement the first phase of MNP, to be completed by December 20. Trial runs in Haryana are expected to begin by November 8.

MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions is a 74:26 joint venture between US-based Telcordia and Deepak Talwar Consultants.

On being asked about the ongoing BlackBerry issue, Mr Raja said the ministry of home affairs would decide on whether more time should be given to BlackBerry makers Research In Motion (RIM) to allow Indian security agencies to access its messenger and e-mail communication. The Indian government has given the Canadian smartphone maker till January-end to allow it to intercept communications made from BlackBerry phones. The government is demanding this access as part of a larger e-security plan.