Pangtel to implement new phone numbering system

THE Papua New Guinea Radiocommunications & Telecommunications Technical Authority (Pangtel) has announced that there will be changes to the current numbering plan used following the adoption of the new PNG Telecommunication numbering plan.
Pangtel, in an advertisement, said the mobile phone numbers would be changed to eight digits from seven in line with the Government’s amended ICT Policy 2007.
“Mobile phone numbers will now be eight digits with 7 in front, for example, 7xxx xxxx.”
A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating telephone number ranges to countries, regions, areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks such as mobile phone networks.
Pangtel said the changes would take place over the next 12 months and the changes would have no impact on the cost of calls.
Two other changes include the international direct dialing (IDD) access code from 05 to 00, and fixed line telephone numbers for selected areas.
They are: Momase region – Madang and Wewak whose number starting with 8xx xxx will change to 4xx xxxx; Southern Region – Central, Gulf, Western and Oro from 3xx xxxx to 6xx xxxx; Highlands – Simbu and Eastern Highlands from 7xx xxx to 5xx xxxx; and New Guinea Islands – Manus from 6xx xxxx to 7xx xxxx.
Pangtel advised that a public notice announcing the actual change-over dates in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The National understands that for Telikom to implement the new numbering plan, it will have to re-engineer its dialing plan for the entire network for both the fixed line and wireless.
Digicel is already using the eight-digit system.