Vodafone’s Irish subsidiary plans to clean up its subscriber base by disconnecting lines which have not been used for eight months.

Under the plan, any outstanding credit on accounts would be held by the operator and not returned to the end user, although the operator says it will explain the new restrictions in its new terms and conditions which will be published next month.

The move forms part of a strategy to recycle mobile numbers deemed to be no longer in use. A Vodafone Ireland spokesperson is quoted as saying that the changes will have a minimal impact on customer numbers but it is mindful ‘of the concerns of a very small number of customers who may consciously omit to top up their accounts for a prolonged period of time for specific reasons.’