I had been using my mobile number[protected] since before 2010 with kolkata vodafone. When i moved to hyderabad, i got it ported to airtel in august 2015.
My number got deactivated on 14th december 2016 as i relocated outside india in july 2016 and was not able to use it as i could not get network on that sim at all times.
As per policy, it can be activated with another 30 days post deactivation after payment of a fee. This amount was attempted to be auto-deducted but as the balance was insufficient, it got deactivated permanently and i was told (Over mail from 121) to visit the gachibowli store from where i opted for mnp.
This was not physically possible for me to come to india just to get this re-activated. As a result, i lost my access to bank account, aadhar related access which were linked to this mobile number.
I was further told that after the grace period of 30days (14 jan 2017), if i do not get it reactivated, it is returned back to the mother operator after another 90 days, i. E. Kolkata vodafone in my case.
But both vodafone and airtel from kolkata circle confirmed that the number is still with airtel hyderabad, even after.
I dropped a mail to the nodal officer in hyderabad and i was informed over mail that i had to go to hyderabad (Specifically the store where i got the number from - which is itself impractical) to get information regarding the number. I went there and was given the same info i already knew over mail.in fact, the gachibowli store didn't help me at all, even regarding the nodal office details.
I went to the begumpet store in splendid towers on 11th august 2017 and i was informed that they have asked for an update from the mnp team over mail and i should get a reply next day on my current mobile number which i provided them. But, as usual, no updates from their side. I went there again on 14th aug and was told the same thing that i should get an update by 17/18 aug. And guess what, i'm still waiting for an update and wasn't even given a callback number for enquiry. I was served by farooq, the nodal officer and this is what i can expect from airtel. Absolute disregard of customers by airtel.
I made a huge mistake switching to airtel and would ask my friends and family not to consider airtel in the future.
I want to sue airtel for causing this inconvenience and not following mnp policies upon deactivation. As a result, i cannot get the number reactivated with any operator!
Airtel customer support has been notified about the posted complaint.