According to telecom regulations, mobile numbers can be reclaimed by companies if they remain inactive or unrecharged for a period of six months. In cases of Mobile Number Portability (MNP), if a customer initiates a port request but does not complete the transition to a different telecom operator, the number will be withdrawn after two months.
The practice of releasing recycled mobile numbers is legal and necessary due to the finite nature of numbering resources. However, it can cause unforeseen problems for new users.
In instances where a person receives calls from loan recovery agents or encounters difficulties linking their new number to a bank account or UPI, it is likely an indication of a recycled number. The previous user’s details are not always fully disconnected, causing inconvenience and the need for manual updates.
Officials emphasize that the issue stems from a lack of coordination among various departments, as the KYC information of the previous user is not always completely removed when a number is recycled. The new user must then manually update their details with banks, UPI, and other platforms.
The government has acknowledged this problem and established a digital intelligence platform (DIP) to enhance coordination among stakeholders. This platform aims to streamline the management of recycled numbers and prevent misuse of telecom resources in cybercrimes and financial frauds.
