Portability: 1 in 6 wants to change service provider

More than one out of six mobile phone subscribers (17.6%) want to switch over to another telecom company. Given India’s mobile subscriber base of more than 700 million, it could mean that up to 120 million people want to switch. Arnab Mitra reports. HT-MaRS Survey | Cross connections

More than one out of six mobile phone subscribers (17.6%) want to switch over to another telecom company. Given India’s mobile subscriber base of more than 700 million, it could mean that up to 120 million people want to switch.

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As number portability comes into effect on Thursday, a Hindustan Times-MaRS survey — the first ever on number portability — across eight Indian cities covering 4,564 subscribers between December 15, 2010 and January 15, 2011 shows that Airtel and Vodafone Essar will gain the most.

One out of three consumers who are considering switching want to sign up with Airtel, and one out of five who want to change will go to Vodafone Essar. But only half the subscribers who want to switch are dissatisfied with the service they get.

The other half just wants a new service provider.

The survey shows that women make more loyal subscribers — 18.8% want to change compared to 14.3% men.