Done by: Swati singh MA1013

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To find out network switching behavior of mobile

users. To know the reason for network switching. To examine the growth of Mobile number portability in India. To identify factors which determine the network switching behavior of mobile users. To know the satisfaction level of current network service provider.

HYPOTHESIS
H1 =MNP has resulted in significant loss of customers.
H0 =MNP has not resulted in significant loss of

customers

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Mobile subscribers incur switching costs when changing operators to take advantage of lower call rates and potentially better services. Several articles discuss the composition of switching costs and most suggest that it consists of the time and money expended in moving to a different operator, including having to inform contacts of a number change (Dick & Basu, 1994) and the loss of or having to give up a phone number (Buehler, Dewenter & Haucap, 2005). Such an action is perceived as a risk, both financially and psychologically (Dick & Basu, 1994, Murray, 1991). The imposition of contractual agreements and customer loyalty programs by mobile operators add to these switching costs. For business enterprises, the costs of switching operators and changing phone numbers are far greater. This is because they end up having to reprint business cards, sign boards and other paraphernalia on which their numbers are displayed, and websites have to be updated with the new contact information. They also risk losing business opportunities through missing calls from those who are unaware of their number changes (Smura, 2004; Beuhler & Haucap, 2003)

Cont
These costs, therefore, act as a barrier to changing operators by

reducing the attractiveness of switching to better alternatives; the greater the switching costs, the more likely a subscriber will not move to another carrier (Gerpot, Rams & Schindler, 2001; Kim, Park & Jeong, 2004). For new operators in the mobile sector, high switching costs act as a barrier to winning over subscribers from competing networks; furthermore, operators have to offer tariffs low enough to outweigh the cost of switching networks (Haucap, 2003). As a result, Sutherland (2007) states that regulators have found it necessary to introduce MNP services, as they reduce switching costs and facilitate consumer choice and ensure effective competition. To date, number portability has been adopted in about 60 developed countries with mature telecom markets, including several developed Asian countries (Keynote Capitals, 2009). MNP was introduced 3 in the early part of 2000 in most of Europe and the USA, while Singapore was among the earliest countries to adopt the facility in 1997 (Buehler, Dewenter & Haucap, 2005).

QUESTIONNAIRE
The questionnaire is finalized and will be distributed

to 80 to 100 respondents.

THANK YOU