RCom asks 1 mn users to port numbers

Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications (RCom) has asked about a million of its 2G customers in three circles -West Bengal, Bihar and Assam - to port out to other operators using facility of mobile number portability (MNP) before December 12.

About 17 million subscribers of RCom in these circles have shifted to their 3G network while one million 2G customers have been asked to switch to other players, according to people close to the development. The users were informed about porting through SMS in November. Mobile number portability allows mobile users to retain their numbers while changing their telecom service providers.

RCom's 900 MHz spectrum holdings in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam will expire on December 12 this year, as the company did not win back this spectrum in the auction held in March this year.

The company has 3G spectrum in these circles, which is why the subscribers were given option to move to 3G network from 2G currently.

The company expects to increase revenues from data services - 3G - which would compensate for the loss in the 2G subscriber numbers.

Also, RCom has plans of sharing spectrum with Mukesh Ambani-run Reliance Jio in seven circles including Bihar and Assam. RJio plans to launch high speed 4G data services in the next year.