Qatar telecom regulator adopts new number plan

Dubai: Qatar's independent telecommunications regulator ictQatar has succesfully implemented the transition of phone numbers from seven to eight digits yesterday to meet the future demand as population and businesses expand.

All fixed-line and mobile numbers starting with 3,4,5,6 and 7 have been changed to begin with 33, 44, 55, 66 and 77 respectively. This includes numbers used for fax services. Emergency numbers within Qatar, including 999 and 112, have been spared the change as have numbers beginning with 1, 2, 8 and 9.

For the next three months, people who dial the old seven-digit numbers will receive an automated recorded voice message asking them to dial the new eight-digit numbers. After this period, customers dialling the same old numbers will hear an automated voice saying "this number is not in service".

Saleh Al Kuwari, chief technical officer of ictQatar, lauded Qtel and Vodafone, the telecommunications operators, for managing the transition without any disruption to services or networks.

The National Numbering Committee, chaired by ictQatar, also had representatives from Qtel and Vodafone.

"With the population estimated to double by 2015 and businesses expanding, the existing numbering system won't meet the future demand. In addition, competition has driven growth in the demand for telephone numbers with many customers having more than one mobile handset. By expanding all existing and new telephone numbers to eight digits, Qatar will be able to meet the growing demand for more network services for years to come. Changing the numbering system for mobile and fixed line services will increase capacity for available telephone numbers tenfold. This, in turn, will create sufficient capacity for the next 10 to 15 years," said Howaida Nadim, communications executive director at ictQatar.

IctQatar is working closely with Qtel and Vodafone as well as the International Telecommunications Union and other international stakeholders to create awareness about the upcoming changes.