The latest data from TRAI on mobile number portability (MNP) trends in India highlights significant shifts in user behavior across India.
According to figures for September 2024, a total of 1,039.11 million porting requests were recorded, showing a net increase of 13.32 million requests compared to August 2024. The number shows lack of satisfaction among mobile phone customers.
Zone-I (North and West India)
Total Porting Requests: Increased from 554.09 million in August to 561.57 million in September.
Top Contributors:
Gujarat leads with 70.73 million requests, up from 69.80 million.
Uttar Pradesh (West) recorded 76.07 million requests, slightly increasing from 74.83 million.
Rajasthan also showed strong activity with 70.59 million requests in September, up from 69.75 million.
Zone-II (South and East India)
Total Porting Requests: Grew from 471.69 million in August to 477.53 million in September.
Top Contributors:
Andhra Pradesh maintained its lead with 68.86 million requests, up from 68.18 million.
Karnataka reported 70.24 million requests, marking a rise from 69.67 million.
Tamil Nadu saw steady growth with 66.16 million requests, compared to 65.92 million in August.
Key Observations
Steady Growth Nationwide: Both zones reported increases, indicating continued demand for MNP as consumers seek better services or offers.
Urban vs. Rural Dynamics: Urban areas like Mumbai and Delhi saw slight fluctuations, while states with significant rural populations, such as Uttar Pradesh (East) and Bihar, witnessed more substantial growth.
South India’s Consistency: States such as Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu consistently contribute to a significant portion of Zone-II requests, emphasizing their dynamic telecom market.
Implications for the Telecom Sector
The surge in MNP requests demonstrates the competitive nature of India’s telecom sector. As consumers exercise their right to switch operators seamlessly, providers must focus on enhancing customer satisfaction, offering competitive tariffs, and improving network quality to retain and attract subscribers.
With 13.32 million net additions in September 2024, India’s MNP landscape remains dynamic, reflecting the evolving preferences of a tech-savvy consumer base. This trend is expected to continue, driven by intense competition among telecom operators.
