Questions answered about switching from Vodafone to Airtel and more

Every player in the telecom industry is constantly on the lookout for ways to attract new customers to their network. Because of problems like inadequate service provision and poor network coverage, many users are considering switching service providers. The Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service allows customers to switch their service provider but keep the same mobile phone number. When a Vodafone customer uses MNP, they can switch to another service provider like Airtel or Vodafone. How to switch from Vodafone to Airtel — a complete guide.

For more, check out Huawei Is Set To Begin 5G Trials With Airtel And Vodafone Idea In India.

Instructions for Switching from Vodafone to Airtel

MNP makes it easy to switch between SIM cards by facilitating a straightforward porting procedure. In order to switch from Vodafone to Airtel, customers must send an SMS requesting the change. Learn how to properly submit a porting request to your telecom company by reading the steps below.

Here's how to send an SMS asking Vodafone to switch to Airtel.

• Launch your phone's messaging application.
• A new call can be made by dialing the USSD code 1900.
• Send an SMS with the word "PORT" followed by "your mobile number." (You must use all capital letters and punctuation when entering the PORT)

• A UPC against your porting request will be sent to you via SMS once the message has been delivered. (Unique Purchasing Code - UPC)

• Visit any Airtel location after receiving the SMS with your UPC.
• If you need assistance, contact the Airtel store's customer service representative.
• The support agent will need to see your identification paperwork.
• The portability fee is due once all paperwork has been verified.
• You can get a new Airtel SIM card from the shopkeeper, who will handle the entire process for you.

I was wondering how long it would take to switch from Vodafone to Airtel.

There will be a delay of four to seven business days during the porting process. During this time, subscribers can continue using their current Vodafone postpaid or prepaid service. Your current SIM card will stop functioning once the porting process is complete, and you will need to insert your Airtel SIM card into your phone in order to restore cellular service.

How can I tell if the porting is finished?

Your alternate number will receive an SMS notification just before the porting process is complete and your number is successfully transferred from Vodafone to Airtel. The tele-verification code and a confirmation of the successful completion of the porting process will be sent to the user via text message. Once you have the tele-verification code, you can verify it by switching to a new Airtel SIM card and dialing '59059' followed by the tele-verification code.

Where can I find the necessary documentation to complete my porting process?

• Documentation of residence, such as a passport, driver's license, or Aadhaar card
• Images must be passport-sized.

Once upon a time, users had to submit physical copies of their documents for verification and fill out a physical portability form before the process could be completed digitally. However, users must now bring their documentation with them, and the rest of the process is completed on an app. Biometric verification at the time of document verification is now required as the process has gone digital.

You may also be interested in: Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea, and Idea Cellular Prepare for 5G Trials in India.

Allowability of Vodafone customers to switch to Airtel

The MNP service allows you to request portability with only one caveat. For mobile number portability to be available, the user must have had their current SIM card active for a minimum of 90 days. In the event that the number has recently been ported to the current telecom network, a second porting request will fail, and you will not receive a UPC against your SMS request.

What to expect when switching from Vodafone to Airtel

Porting a Vodafone number to an Airtel SIM card is a relatively painless process thanks to the MNP service, but there are still a few details to keep in mind. When it comes to portability, these procedures are standard across all major telecommunications providers. Here's what you need to know before you can switch from Vodafone to Airtel, whether you're a postpaid or prepaid customer:

How to prepare for a Vodafone to Airtel port (Postpaid) application:

• Be sure you understand your billing cycle before applying to switch from Vodafone to Airtel near the end of your current billing cycle.
• Before you can successfully switch from Vodafone to Airtel, you'll need to pay an additional fee to cover any overage charges.

Here's what you need to know before you apply to switch from Vodafone to Airtel (Prepaid):

• Apply to port out as soon as possible before the end of your current prepaid plan.

Briefly explain the Universal Product Code.

After submitting a porting request via the MNP service, your telecom provider will provide you with a UPC, or Unique Porting Code, as a means of verification. The customer service rep will use this information to confirm your request for number portability and to activate your new SIM card using your current phone number. The validity of a UPC is limited, and once that period has passed, the code can no longer be used.

Also, according to Ookla, Vodafone's 4G network is the quickest in the Delhi-National Capital Region, beating out both Jio and Airtel.

How reliable is the UPC?

Upon submission, a UPC is valid for use for five days. The telecom operator store will enter the code to transfer your mobile number to a different service provider's network. A valid UPC is required in order to transfer the number. The UPC is valid only for one purchase at one location operated by the same telecom provider.

When the UPC has run its course, what should be done?

Five days after they are applied for, all UPCs will automatically expire. No one should worry if the UPC associated with their porting request has already expired. In order to switch from Vodafone to Airtel, customers can submit a new porting request, at which point a new UPC will be generated against the application.

Can I change my current postpaid or prepaid service to another provider's postpaid or prepaid service?

While both postpaid and prepaid customers are eligible to submit a porting request, it is important to note that Airtel does not permit customers to seamlessly transition into a new prepaid connection. As of this writing, customers must use Airtel's postpaid service for a minimum of three months before upgrading to the prepaid plan. Users can make the transition from postpaid to prepaid status once their three-month billing cycle has been completed with Airtel.

Also see: Vodafone Idea's Shares Drop More Than 14%, Signaling Further Trouble for the Telecommunications Company.