TRAI recommends new numbering system, landline consumers will have to dial 10 digit number
New Delhi| Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended a new numbering system for landline consumers. Landline consumers must also dial a full 10-digit number for local calls if the government accepts it.
TRAI has recommended a new numbering system to eliminate the STD code system to get rid of unused phone numbers. The new number system code will be at a telecom circle or state level. TRAI has recommended transfer from the existing SDCA-based (STD number based) numbering scheme for fixed line services to the LSA (Licensed Service Area) based 10 digit closed numbering scheme.
This can effectively reduce the constraints of Telecom Identifier (TI) resources or phone numbers for fixed line services in the long run with minimal disruption. Telecommunication circle or licensed service area (LSA) usually refers to a state level area or large metropolitan area.
For fixed line to fixed line calls, zero has to be applied first
TRAI has recommended that to implement the LSA based 10 digit closed numbering scheme for fixed line service consumers must first use ‘0’ for all fixed line to fixed line calls. After this, SDCA (Short Distance Charging Area) or STD code and consumer’s number will have to be written. Even local calls inside the same SDCA have to be dialed using ‘0’. After this SDCA code and customer number have to be used. As per the recommendation, there will be no change in the existing phone numbers issued to consumers.
Telecom operators will get six months for the new scheme
TRAI said the Department of Telecommunications will have to give six months time to telecom operators to implement the new numbering scheme. For the use of idle numbers, TRAI has recommended that no mobile or fixed line connections shall be deactivated by telecommunication operators, until 90 days of the non-use period have elapsed. It has suggested that all mobile and fixed line connections that are inactive due to non-use will be compulsorily deactivated after 365 days of the expiry of 90 days of the period of non-use by telecommunication service providers.
