Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the GSM operator lobby, is protesting the 11-digit mobile numbering on the back of inconvenience to the subscribers after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recommended for the new numbering plan. Instead, they are demanding to put up an end to the exclusive two-digit operator code provided to three service providers.
DoT’s Technical Engineering Centre is expecting the industry to run out of mobile numbers since the subscriber base has been expanding by 10 million users every month, which was recommended and forwarded to the government.
COAI has said that there was no need to alter the present numbering structure because the current plan was not utilised properly and was lopsided and would lead to massive disruptions to existing mobile users and operators, since all roaming agreements have to be re-aligned and all equipment modified. It is expected that the COAI would raise voice against the proposed move to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
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.