The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) suggests charging telecom companies for phone numbers, highlighting their value as a limited public resource. With 1.16 billion mobile subscribers, India faces a challenge as 219 million numbers are inactive. Telcos hoard numbers to avoid losing customers, while cheap SIM cards lead to excess ownership. The 10-digit system restricts available numbers, making efficient use crucial. Trai's proposal, allowing costs to be passed to consumers, aligns with global practices and aims to address resource waste in the telecom sector.