DoT running short of Mobile Numbers – One time charge of Rs 5 coming
What applies to a common Indian’s lifestyle about amassing and hoarding [property, jewelery, etc] also applies to most Telecom operators in the country. After Spectrum hoarding, these companies have also amassed Mobile numbers sending the planners in TRAI and DoT back to the Design board.
In the first place, the Indian mobile numbering plan is a big mess. Adding to its woes is the errant behavior of these Telecom operators. According to TRAI, most of the Wireless service providers have not used more than 60% of their allocated MSC codes [read blocks of mobile numbers] and are requesting for more [lots of inefficiencies and hence they have to go for more]. Bharti Airtel – Andhra Pradesh was the best with 83% utilization while Reliance Communications, Chennai is the worst with 15% utilization of these MSC codes.
In order to streamline the operations, TRAI is most likely to announce in April-09 a one time charge of Rs 5.0 / Mobile Number and Rs 1.0 for Wireline number. This fee is applicable to all the numbers already held / allocated and also for future allocations.
With Wireless subscribers reaching 400mn [375 at end of Feb-09] the Government will make a cool Rs 2 bn 
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It’s strange.Hope reliance will overcome this problem one day.