Bahrain today switches to eight-digit phone numbers

As of today, Bahrain's telephone numbers will be eight digits, according to the new scheme implemented by the Bahrain telecommunications authority.

The authority yesterday reminded all subscribers that only eight-digit numbers would be functional throughout the kingdom starting today as planned and announced to the public over the past six months.

The telecom authority (TRA) called on residents and, importantly, companies to ensure that the necessary precautions have been taken.

While only diallers using eight-digit numbers from within Bahrain and from abroad will be connected on and after June 1, all diallers calling old numbers will be alerted by automated voice prompts to the new numbering scheme for a period of at least six months.

Under the plan, the prefix (17) will be added to all six-digit fixed line numbers and the prefix (3) will be added to all seven-digit mobile numbers. Emergency numbers however will remain unchanged.