Airtel, Voda Idea wean off double SIM users by upping least recharge tariff

By hiking minimum monthly recharge, the hope is these subscribers will move out, improving operators' average revenue per user

Incumbent telecom (telco) operators are targeting that 50 per cent of double subscriber identity module (SIM) users in the country will move out of their networks as a result of the steep increase in the minimum recharge tariff to Rs 35 a month by Airtel and Vodafone Idea.

Some 350 million subscribers are currently on double SIMs — that’s half the total subscriber base of 750 million. Owing to the number of double SIM users, the total number of mobile connections in the country stands at 1.1 billion. But if the telcos have their way, the number of connections will