Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) Technical Engineering Centre is suggesting new numbering plan due to 10 million subscribers increasing every month. Another reason behind the recommendation is that DoT has reserved six billion numbers for the fixed-line users on the contrary; actual number of subscriber is below 40 million.
On the other side, Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) has different opinion to DoT recommendation. COAI feels that there is no need to change the number digits from 10 to 11 will create huge disruptions for existing mobile users and operators as all the roaming agreements have to be re-aligned and all equipment requires modification. COAI also raises questions on the exclusivity provided to three leading GSM operators regarding usage of “98” code while other operators are using “92” (TATA), “93” (RELIANCE) and “94” (RELIANCE). This privilege need to be withdrawn, since this is hampering the optimum utilization of the “9” series. COAI added that exclusivity is redundant, as this could disturb the consumers to change service operators without changing the numbers. COAI may approach to TRAI against the move taken by DoT.
GSM mobile service providers are also opposing 11-digit mobile numbering system as this would create huge inconvenience for existing 390 million subscribers. They are also stand by COAI in respect of exclusivity provided to three service operators for the usage of two-digit (98) operator code.
DoT is just thinking about the upcoming subscribers not about existing huge number of existing subscribers. According the COAI figures released in Mar 09, Vodafone has 68.76 m subscriber, Airtel has 93.9 m subscriber, Idea cellular has 43 m subscriber, Aircel has 18.4m subscribers and BSNL has 46.6 m subscribers, new entrant Reliance has acquired 11.1 m subscriber. Indian mobile market is the fastest growing market.
What will happen if new numbering system implements and how this will impact the mobile subscribers?
Seema !
“94” is not RELIANCE .. its of BSNL
A horrible insight. these are only to create chaos among the 350+ million users. Stop reseving 92,93 & 94 codes for the heavy weights. also, cancel mobile numbers wich are not used for more than 6 months. You will get far enough numbers than what will be required in next 5 years. more than 30% of our people are living in Below Poverty Live and another 40% in villages. how can’t we make proper usage of the existing numbering scheme??? Think & Act.
I had taken a fancy number last year. Paid as much as Rs.35,000. They told me this number would be retained for another 20 years. Now what? TRAI should refund my money with interest or I’ll have to consider legal options.
Vinay
As the news line suggests.. Fight is going on against 11 digit mobile number. It is not implemented yet. So don’t be panic