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The telecom regulator Trai has submitted a proposal to the government to replace STD codes in fixed-line services with an entire 10-digit numbering system.
Trai proposes 10-digit numbering landline system.
The telecom regulator Trai has proposed to replace STD codes in fixed landline with an entire 10-digit numbering system like mobile numbers. The new number system code would be at a telecom circle or state level. The proposal will be implemented only if the government approves it.
The Trai is recommending “migration from the existing SDCA-based (STD number based) numbering scheme to an LSA (licenced service area) based 10-digit closed numbering scheme for fixed-line services. The purpose is to mitigate telecom identifier (TI) resource or the phone number constraints for the fixed landline services in the long run, so there won’t be any disruption or delays.
A telecom circle or licenced service area (LSA) generally refers to a state-level area or large metropolitan area.
Trai’s proposal said that subscribers will have to dial all fixed-line to fixed line calls using a prefix ‘0’ upon implementing the LSA-based 10 digit closed numbering scheme.
There will be no changed in the existing phone numbers issued to subscribers. Moreover, the telecom operators is supposed to be given about six months to implement the numbering scheme.
“Even local calls within the same SDCA are to be dialed using a prefix of ‘0’, followed by the SDCA code and the subscriber number,” the regulator recommended.
It has been proposed that TSPs must terminate all mobile and fixed-line connections that are dormant because they have not been used for 365 days after the 90-day non-usage period has ended.
Trai suggested that service providers refrain from reactivating any fixed-line or mobile connections that have been deactivated for nonuse until at least ninety days have passed after the deactivation date.
(With PTI Inputs)
