The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has directed Vodafone to stop using 111 as its customer care number.
The authority pointed out that such a number was not in consonance with the national numbering plan. The numbering plan did not have any place for three digit customer care numbers.
Currently three digit numbers, such as 100, are used for emergency services such as police and ambulance. Vodafone had argued that they have been using that three digit code for their customer care for two decades and should be allowed to continue the practice.
The TRAI, however, dismissed the request and told the mobile operator to immediately cease using the number for customer care.