The Hindu : Transition to 8-digit phone numbers smooth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 23, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Transition to 8-digit phone numbers smooth

By Our Staff Reporter

Chennai Dec. 22. The transition to the eight-digit numbering scheme by prefixing `2' to the existing numbers was by and large smooth for subscribers of Chennai Telephones, barring initial hiccups and problems faced by those using WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) connections.

Chennai Telephones set the changeover process, implemented as part of the national significance identity number scheme evolved for each telecom service provider by the Department of Telecommunications, in motion at 00.00 hours of Sunday.

The most affected were subscribers of WLL mobile and fixed connections, numbering about 10,000, as many of them had not suitably programmed the instrument.

"The fixed WLL telephone subscribers in many remote areas could not use the line as they found it difficult to re-programme the equipment", the official said, adding that response at the Chennai Telephones customer service centres was "poor".

There was a proposal to send telecom teams to such areas for activating the WLL connections.

Many of the WLL-mobile subscribers, including those who had adjusted their handsets, said, "there was no signal for us to make or receive calls".

The main grouse of many, particularly those making STD calls to subscribers in Chennai, was the absence of any pre-recorded voice advising them to add `2'.

Chennai Telephones officials attributed this to the continuation of both the old and new numbers in some exchange areas and said the old numbers in such cases would be withdrawn from Monday.

The old number (without the `2' prefix) at some of the banks, however, would continue as the financial establishments have sought time to facilitate changes in some of the working systems.

Speaking to The Hindu, the Chief General Manager of Chennai Telephones, S. S. Iyer, said, "a few foreign banks had asked for some time on the grounds that they have to make changes relating to credit card authorisation manually and we have allowed their request".

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Transition to 8-digit phone numbers smooth