Telecom PSUs BSNL and MTNL lost about 4.6 million landline connections in 2007-08, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

While 4.38 million BSNL lines were surrendered in the year, its sister concern MTNL lost 2,10,000 connections, Minister of State for Communications and IT Jyotiraditya Scindia told the Upper House in a written reply.

The minister said the reasons for withdrawal of landline connections includes preference for mobile phones, move to private operator, disconnections due to non-payment of dues and surrendering of second telephone taken for get internet connection due to availability of broadband.

The total number of landlines in the country as on March 2008 is 39 million, which was 4 crore in March 2007. At present, BSNL has 31 million landline users while MTNL has 3.68 million users.