Mobile number re-allocation process in India: A disaster in making?

[2025]

Hi Friends,

The core issue.
Recently we have noticed that those who are taking a new mobile connection often find that their mobile number is already linked to many social media, emails, banking, and financial products, sometimes with some government schemes as well. Not only that, some get spam calls from a 3rd person behaving like he/she knows that person or even on few occasions they get threat calls as well.

Barring a few random cases mostly these things are related to the previous owner of a mobile number that for some reason has been closed/ discontinued. Due to lack of availability of so called "less premium" numbers, those used mobile numbers are getting re-allocated to a new subscriber. Currently there is no proper check to erase the linking of those numbers with financial and social media world. Erasing them from phonebook of somebody else cannot be implemented just like that.

So, what are the solutions?
1. A mobile number after discontinuation, should not be re-allocated to anyone before a long enough cooling period (e.g., 20 years).

2. TRAI and telecom companies should find a way and ensure that such numbers are not linked to any media (like emails, Social media etc.) or financial institutions (e.g., Banks, Wallets etc.).

3. It should implement some policy like a person should not be allowed to take more than 5 connections on their name in last 10 years (on rolling basis). (Including inactive numbers, if necessary let them activate older ones with additional charges).

4. Discontinued numbers related to crimes or frauds should have a longer embargo period (say, 30 years), or should be discontinued permanently.

Why mobile number re-allocation going to be a major issue going forward?
See below data (figures are estimated).
Currently, as on 22nd November, 2025,
India Population: 147 Crore.
14+ Age Group population: 110 Crore.

-Many people have multiple sim.
-At some places, getting a new sim is easier than washing own clothes. (People take them because they find better value on FRC, without realising that might give more trouble in future).
-Many (corporate) spam houses take them in bulk to run their spamming business.
-Many often discontinue their numbers knowingly (you can guess the reason).
-Many can't afford to recharge regularly, hence, their connection getting disconnected automatically.
-Many numbers getting deactivated due to not being in operation related to deaths, crimes, phone lost, theft, and so on.

Now see the availability of Mobile Numbers.
-In India currently available mobile number series start with following numbers: "6", "7", "8", "9". Remaining series are not available.
-Initial single number series can cater max 100 Crore customer.
-"9" series almost fully saturated.
-About one in every 2 or 3 numbers of "7" and "8" series are occupied.
-"6" series do not have much space either.
-Above all, premium numbers are kept aside to sell them for an extra gain.

Even if we add up all of them, then it could generate a maximum of 399,99,99,999 (400 Crore) numbers. Therefore, going forward such unwanted situations due to re-allocation of an used number will be more and more unless addressed suitably.

-What is your opinion on this?
-Have you faced such problems, ever?
-How many connections do you have/had in your or family member's name, till date?
-Any suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[AlgoTrader]

let me complicate it for you..
During my collage days (b/w 2007 and 2010), there were multiple networks and in that time period,
I had used around 100 sims in those 4 years, as getting a sim costed 5 rupees (1 photo and 1 xerox copy of my ID) but each sim care came preloaded with 200-500 rupees of talktime and data. It was a big offer to miss during those days. I will just get a sim, use it and throw it and will get another.
Even now, i have 4 numbers - one personal, 1 for business , 2 for CCTVs at 2 different places.. so we all use or have used multiple SIMs before for sure.

Few months ago, I took one of the SIMs i have been using for CCTVs for few years and I put that sim in my mobile for some reason, and I was getting continues messages from 2 banks regarding a linked back account credit/debit txns. Mind you, this number was with me for years now, still someone else's bank account got linked to it. It is scary af.