Idea gains 81 lakh users through MNP, RCom loses 60 lakh

Government considers Trai's recommendations to roll-out MNP on nationwide basis

Idea Cellular has been the biggest gainer of mobile number portability with net additions of 80.88 lakh users, while Reliance Communications lost 60.13 lakh subscribers on net basis till December 31.

As per a written reply submitted by Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora to the Lok Sabha, the top three telcos have gained 1.88 crore users - with Idea topping the list - followed by Vodafone and Bharti Airtel with net additions of 67.19 lakh and 40.16 lakh users respectively till December 31, 2013.

Vodafone leads with maximum number of port-ins or additions with 2.41 crore users, but it also lost 1.74 crore subscribers due to MNP. Airtel has 2.21 crore port-ins and 1.81 port-outs whereas Idea has 2.11 crore people port-ins and 1.30 port-outs of its network.

Reliance Communications (GSM as well as CDMA) has 42.71 lakh people port-ins and 1.02 crore port-outs. Reliance Telecom, which offers GSM-only services added 6,166 users.

MNP, which allows users to switch operators without having to change their numbers within their service area, was launched in January 2011.

Deora said the government is now considering sectoral regulator Trai's recommendations to roll-out MNP on nationwide basis.

"The government had sought recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on December 27, 2012, which have been submitted by Trai on September 25, 2013. These recommendations are presently under consideration on Department of Telecommunications," Deora said.

As per the data, Tata Teleservices lost 37.97 lakh net users. State-owned BSNL and MTNL too lost 13.19 lakh and 1.87 lakh users respectively on net basis through MNP.

Uninor lost 32.91 lakh subscribers, Etisalat DB, which shut down operations following the cancellation of its licenses by the Supreme Court, had lost 11.50 lakh users on net basis.

Aircel also lost 17.99 lakh subscribers and Loop lost 1.02 lakh users. Videocon and MTS lost 4.67 lakh and 3.79 lakh subscribers respectively.