Vodafone will change its customer care number into 199, according to sources. Currently, the service provider uses 111 as its customer care number and TRAI had directed it to stop using this number last month. Announcement of the same will strike soon.
TRAI had earlier directed the service provider to change its existing 111 customer care number on the grounds that it violates the national numbering plan. According to the national numbering plan of Department of Telecommunications issued during 2003, numbers from 100 - 115 is allotted for emergency services (100 – Police, 101 – Ambulance etc.) and no telecom providers are allowed to use it for their operative purposes.
However, Vodafone stated that their customer care number 111 was in use among its customers even before Government’s number plan. The service provider has been using it for past 18-20 years and hence, it is difficult for them to change the number.
The show case notice was given to Vodafone on 2nd February on this regard. The provider was asked to submit a compliance report by March 10th, which the provider extended stating that it cannot change the number in a short span of time.
The date from which the new number will become effective is yet to be known.
