Reports of RCom shutting down the 2G operations has gone public and the key telecom players including Airtel and Vodafone are eyeing for their share of RCom subscribers. An advertisement from India’s telecom operator, Airtel reads, “Airtel welcomes Reliance Communications customers, switch to India’s fastest network”.

Additionally, it says, “Switching to India’s fastest network without changing your number. Enjoy unlimited calling and lots of data. Call 1800-103-1111”.

Airtel has not left any stone unturned and presently has the largest subscriber base with more than 28.06 crore subscribers in India.

According to a report by The Hindu on October 5, Anil Ambani backed RCom was reportedly shutting down its 2G services by November 30 which will lead to about 1,500 job losses.

In a BSE filing on Friday, RCom said, “As already announced on 1st October 2017, RCOM has decided to adopt a 4G-focussed strategy for profitable growth of its wireless business. Accordingly, RCOM will be optimizing its 2G and 3G footprint, and related infrastructure and human resources, with effect from 30 November 2017. The Company’s 4G-led strategy will be executed, as at present, on the back of capital-light access to India’s most extensive 4G mobile network, through already operational spectrum-sharing and ICR arrangements with Reliance Jio,”

The estimated debt of RCom is estimated to have reached around Rs 46,000 crore. The organisation was expected to merge its wireless business with Aircel which was later announced to have lapsed. A latest data by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) revealed that RCom had 81,272,601 subscribers at the end of July.
The key telecom players have started sending invitations for gathering their share of RCom subscribers. A users reported to have received a text message from IDEA requesting to switch to IDEA network as RCom is shutting its 2G services. Airtel and Vodafone have already released advertisements for the same.