Mobile Numbers Might Have 13 Digits From July 1 And People Are Freaking Out

New Delhi: In a major development, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued a directive instructing all telecom operators in the country to start issuing 13-digit mobile numbers to customers, certain media reports claim. This not only applies to the new mobile numbers but also the existing numbers which will be ported to 13-digits starting from October 1, 2018. “It is decided that 13-digit M2M (Machine-to-machine) numbering plan will be implemented from July 1, 2018,” a source was quoted as saying in a news report. The deadline for completion of the same has been set for December 31, 2018. However, the news is not yet confirmed but social media is already buzzing with reactions and questions

Dear @TRAI @BSNLCorporate @Airtel_Presence @JioCare is it correct mobile numbers will be 13 digits?? pic.twitter.com/zvQLje23p7

— (L)only Indian (@indian3360) February 21, 2018

 

India get ready and brace yourself... 13 digits mobile numbers to be implemented in the next few months. BSNL has already issued its notification ???????? — Girish Johar (@girishjohar) February 21, 2018

New revolution in mobile phone industry in India. Now 13 digit mobile numbers will be introduced from 1st July 2018 onwards. All 10 digit existing mobile number will be changed to 13 digit number max before December 2018. — Brajesh Misra (@brajeshlive) February 20, 2018

 

All our 10 digit Mobile Numbers will be converted to 13 digits....what can be the government strategy for this decision ?? @sadasiba2013 @airtelindia @Aircel @reliancejio @JPN_PMO @narendramodi

— Rajess Nayak (@rajessnayak) February 21, 2018

 

umm the letter says it is for M2M sims... how does that apply to consumer Mobile nos??? if at all there is a need to increase digits for mobile numbers it should increase to 11 in a couple of years, skipping ahead to 13 does seem logical.. imho.. btw M2M = machine 2 machine — Ankit Rana (@ankitrana85) February 21, 2018