Number portability to benefit Aircel, Idea: RCom

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications today said the government's move to introduce mobile number portability would help GSM players Aircel, Idea and Spice as they enter new circles.

"Aircel, Idea and Spice will benefit the most from mobile number portability on launch of services in new circles," RCom said in a statement here while reacting to GSM players lobby COAI's allegation that the government is favouring a particular operator looking to enter the GSM segment through the number portability move.

The government had announced yesterday that mobile number portability, under which users would be able to switch operators while retaining their existing cell phone numbers, would be allowed by next year.

COAI Director General T V Ramachandran had said: "Mobile number portability was being introduced to benefit a select operator desirous of entering the GSM segment and thereafter poaching on the subscribers of existing GSM players."

RCom today said the COAI's fear on "poaching of customers" illustrate monopolistic, anti-competition, anti-consumer mindset.

"COAI's opposition to mobile number portability is beyond comprehension... Customers are nobody's monopoly, they should have freedom of choice," RCom said.

RCom also asked COAI to "stop shadow boxing" at the behest of two leading GSM operators, but did not name them.

CDMA players' association AUSPI and RCOM chairman Ambani had lauded the new policy and said this would benefit customers.

"It is pro-competition, pro-consumer, and, above all, pro-choice. For the first time in four metros, GSM operators will face real competition," Ambani said.