New Delhi, July 4 (IANS): The implementation of pan-India mobile number portability (MNP) has been one of the important points of the National Telecom Policy 2012 and the industry has successfully accomplished this to ensure enhanced customer satisfaction and competition in the country, the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) said Saturday.

Pan-India full MNP became a reality on July 3, 2015.

The COAI represents seven of the largest mobile service operators and the majority of telecom equipment manufacturers as well as other communication services and product companies in India.

"It is proud moment for Indian telecom industry on the successful implementation of nationwide mobile number portability from today by the combined effort of the ministry of communication, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and the telecom industry," said COAI director general Rajan S. Mathews said.

"We would also like to thank Department of Telecommunication, for their support that expedite the implementation in a smooth manner to bring to the mobile users, the convenience of changing their service provide, while moving between states without, having to change their mobile numbers," he added.

He further said mobile subscribers should acknowledge and appreciate that while charging world's lowest voice rates, mobile operators, have made huge investment for upgradation of network, procurement of hardware, and software for the benefit of consumer choice.

It is time that the telecommunication industry should be acknowledged for being the main propeller of socio-economic development in the country that contributes 3.5 percent to India's growth while providing employment to over 20 lack people indirectly across the country, Mathews added.