Mobile growth unimpeded by strict verification norms

Despite fears expressed by cellular operators that the department of telecom's stringent pre-paid-mobile connection verification drive would hinder addition of new subscribers, the figures provided by the Cellular Operators' Association of India reveal that GSM mobile connection growth has remained stable at 4.2 per cent in June, the same as in May.

The subscriber base grew from 72.2 million users in April, to 75.29 million in May and reached 78.47 million in June.

Operators had said mobile user base could fall by as much as 25-30 per cent due to stringent verification norms. The association's (COAI) Director-General TV Ramachandran, however, said, "The system is new. Once it stabilises, it will not have any effect in the long run."

But some operators remain sceptical. "Mobile connections are a mass product, which every one uses and the stringent verification can have a negative effect.

We understand national security concerns and the need for verification. However, the present system is a little ineffective and a common path needs to be worked out," an official of a GSM service provider said.

Looking at this data, it may also be argued that the verification of new subscribers is going on as usual and dealers are only being more prudent in collecting requisite identity proofs from prospective users.

The real impact of the drive would be known only after verification of the entire existing subscriber base is completed over the next few months.