Mobile users across the country would soon see new mobile numbers, maybe as early as end of August 2009. While earlier reports indicated that all mobile users would be converted to a 11-digit numbering scheme (11 DIGIT MOBILE NUMBERS FROM 2010) latest updates indicate that 10-digit numbers would continue for more years to come.
While the DOT has almost exhausted its supply of available number series -
all levels from 90 / 91 / 95 / 96 / 97 / 98 / 99 have been allotted to various operators (and levels 92 / 93 / 94 reserved for Tata Indicom / Reliance Mobile / BSNL respectively) the new level "8" would ensure that there are plentty of new numbering options available, with the existing 10-digit numbering framework. In short, the number "8" would be introduced which would exist along with today's mobile numbers starting with "9".
Upcoming new "8" level codes:
| Code | Operator | Circle |
| 8000 | Reliance GSM | Gujarat |
| 8001 | Vodafone | West Bengal |
| 8002 | Airtel | Bihar |
| 8003 | Airtel | Rajasthan |
| 8004 | BSNL | Uttar Pradesh (E) |
| 8005 | BSNL | Uttar Pradesh (E) |
| 8006 | Vodafone | Uttar Pradesh (W) |
| 8007 | Vodafone | Maharashtra - Goa |
| 8008 | Airtel | Andhra Pradesh |
| 8009 | Airtel | Uttar Pradesh (E) |
| 8010 | Reliance GSM | Delhi |
| 8011 | Airtel | Assam |
| 8012 | Aircel | Tamil Nadu |
| 8013 | Aircel | Kolkata |
| 8014 | Aircel | North East |
| 8015 | Tata DoCoMo | Tamil Nadu |
| 8016 | Airtel | West Bengal |
| 8017 | Vodafone | Kolkata |
| 8018 | Airtel | Orissa |
| 8019 | Tata DoCoMo | Andhra Pradesh |
| 8050 | Tata DoCoMo | Karnataka |
To share an example: the old numbers 9xxxx-xxxxx would exist as well as new numbers 8xxxx-xxxxx. What does it entail? Well for starters those in search of VIP numbers can look forward to lots of new possibilities ... Good news for telecom companies too as they can look forward to additional revenues in the form of "Premium Number" charges for VIP numbers!
Stay tuned to Telecom Talk for more updates.
