India's single largest Duel technology mobile service provider (GSM and CDMA), Reliance Communications (Rcom) has de-activated around 10 million in-active, low-end mobile subscribers at the end of September.
According to telecom regulator TRAI's data, Reliance Communications (Rcom) purged approx 8% of its GSM and CDMA subscriber base in the month of September, 2013. With this clean-up move, Rcom lost its third position in the Indian mobile - telecom market to Idea Cellular in terms of user base.
According to TRAI data, India's total mobile subscriber base (GSM and CDMA) decreased from 876.72 million in August 2013 to 870.58 million at the end of September 2013, registering a monthly decline of 0.70%.
Largest GSM mobile service provider Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India hold the number one and number two positions with 193.3 million customers 155 million customers respectively.
Idea Cellular is now 3rd largest mobile service provider in terms of mobile subscriber base, gained 1.2 million users in the month to end September with 127.2 million users.
Mobile subscribers in urban areas decreased from 525.84 million in August 2013 to 520.21 million at the end of September 2013. The wireless subscription in rural areas decreased from 350.88 million to 350.37 million during the same period.
"Our focus is entirely on enhancing profitable minutes on our network, and not on the number of subscribers " - Spokesperson Reliance Communications (Rcom).