Qatar's Phone Numbers to Expand by a Digit
ictQATAR announced on March 28, 2010 that phone numbers in Qatar will be expanded from seven to eight digits, effective Wednesday July 28, 2010.
This change will address the increasing demand for both fixed and mobile phone numbers in Qatar. The new numbering plan will create an additional 36 million mobile and nine million fixed telephone numbers, surpassing the highest forecasted demand for the next 15-20 years.
Read about the numbering changes below and tell us what you think: how do you think it will affect you as an individual or business? How do you think the changes will be able to meet the growing demand? Are you satisfied with the changes?
In announcing the plan, William Fagan, the Executive Director of ictQATAR's Regulatory Authority said, "Population and business growth has had an enormous impact on telecommunications service. Competition has driven growth in the demand for telephone numbers, with many customers having more than one handset. As the nation's ICT policy and regulatory body, ictQATAR is ensuring that businesses and individual consumers will be able to access a broad range of network services for years to come."
The change to eight digit numbers will happen automatically and seamlessly on July 28, 2010 for all customers - whether Qtel or Vodafone - with no interruption of service or affect on both networks.
For both fixed and mobile users, the first digit of the number will be repeated, so that numbers that currently begin with 3 will now start with 33, those starting with 7 will now be 77. The only affected numbers will be those starting with 3,4,5,6 and 7.
All emergency telephone numbers within Qatar, including 999 and 112, will not be affected by the change. Numbers used for SMS, toll free and paging services, as well as short codes, and the numbers owned by the Ministry of Interior will also remain the same. These begin with 1, 2, 8 and 9.
For a period of three months after July 28, people who dial the current seven digit numbers will receive an automated recorded message asking them to dial again with the correct new eight digit number. The country code will not be affected by the change. International callers will simply have to dial the first digit of the subscriber's phone number twice after the '974' country code.
ictQATAR is working closely with Qatar's telecommunications operators -- Qtel and Vodafone -- as well as the International Telecommunications Union and other international stakeholders to create awareness of the upcoming changes.
In addition, both Qtel and Vodafone are guiding their customers through the transition. Qtel customer service line can be reached by dialing 111 whilst Vodafone customers can dial 111 from their mobile phone and speak to a Customer Care Champion. If Vodafone customers are calling from another number and not their Vodafone mobile, they should dial 800 7111.
Information on the numbering changes including frequently asked questions is available at www.ictQATAR.qa
http://www.qtel.qa/NewsFull.do?News=26121
Software to update mobile phone and outlook to 8 digits
http://qmynumbers.info/e/
http://www.qontactsapp.com/en
Iphone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/qontacts/id379811066?mt=8
Free program available to update number system to new 8 digit system
(I have only installed app for iPhone and it is working, and did'nt tried others) go to
http://www.qontactsapp.com
Hey guys,
I have just posted a new forum topic for a new mobile application that will automatically update your mobile address book in minutes. The idea is brilliant, go and see my post:
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1189980
Salam
marcus varney,
Only the numbers owned by the Ministry of Interior will remain the same and have 7 digits (besides short codes like 999 etc.) for both fixed and mobile users, the first digit of every number will be repeated and contain 8 digits. The affected ranges starting with 3,4,5,6 and 7 and these are the ones that are owned by businesses and consumers. This is a fairly transparent process and we hope that the confusion is minimal.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
The National Numbering Committee (NNC) established by ictQATAR and comprised of representatives from Qtel and Vodafone Qatar has conducted extensive research on the pressing demand of the market. There is an immediate need for additional numbers – competition has driven growth in the demand for telephone numbers, with many customers having more than one handset.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
Thanks for your feedback, rMs_000.
People dialing from outside Qatar will receive an automated message asking them to redial with an added digit. The international code for Qatar (+974) will not be affected. You will simply need to add the additional digit to the original number.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
marcus varney,
Thanks for the input. Only the numbers owned by the Ministry of Interior will remain the same and have 7 digits (besides short codes like 999 etc.) for both fixed and mobile users, the first digit of every number will be repeated and contain 8 digits. This is a fairly transparent process and all consumers will be affected. In addition, overseas callers will hear a recorded message that will ask them to dial an extra digit in case there is any confusion.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
Deepb,
Thank you for your input, we appreciate it. National numbering plan expansion cannot address just one segment, such as new registering customers, it has to address all user segments.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
smoke,
National numbering plan expansion cannot address just one segment, such as new registering customers, it has to address all user segments. Yes, the updates of contact lists etc. will have to take place, however it’s a minor interruption compared to interrupted telecommunications services due to the numbers shortage and networks overload. This change addresses the increasing demand for both fixed and mobile phone numbers in Qatar. In regards to the ETR issue, you are right, it’s an operator issue and Qtel should be able to address it.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
.
The topic is numbers not customer service .everyone has an opinion and i am sure 50% would say vodafone have problems also .....open a seperate subject box for this i say ,,,,,MV
Meh, I'm not interested in making money out of this situation.
deepb .......take my advice get online click vodaphone site click numbers and take a chance $$$ will be yours at 50% discount also .....rgds MV let others worry .happy hunting :}
3 million by end of 2011? Doubling population in 2 years? Maybe, but I highly doubt it.
BELEIVE ME when some are 7 some are 8 there is confusion i have had experience and unless ALL change or ALL remain it is an issue ,,,,i also doubt your population forcast by end 2011 we will be on nearer 3m amd a lot of people have 2 numbers even 3 in some cases business private etc ,,,,,ALSO i am not a big fan of change but get out there choose a 77prefix number and then a triple ending number ie 7712555 and by end july you will have a vvip use the head and the money will roll in 77712555...vodafone still have 50%off online ....MV entrepreneur :}
Why should it be confusing for overseas callers if some numbers are 8 digits and some are 7 ?
As it stands right now, the population of Qatar is somewhere at the 1.6million range. Even with the extra numbers for businesses, I don't think the 8 digit numbers will need to come into use for a further 4-5 years.
300? I have got bloody 600+ contacts in my phone and out of that 80% are from Qatar. :X
And as u said, our special numbers looks wiered now!! aarrggh!!
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tEaCh Me RulEs I'lL tEaCh YoU hOw To BrEaK iT -rMs!
to have some numbers 8 digit and some 7 will be even more confusing for overseas callers ......make the change ,,,,,,,,ALL 8 i have experienced this already in ASIA its no big deal and within a week everyone is rolling along ,,,,document changes can be by hand until new stationary is needed then the change costs next to nothing
Marcus
Thanks, everyone. We will consider all your comments. Keep giving us your suggestions on how to improve this and how do you think it will affect your businesses.
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
hello!!
GOOD AFTERNOON!!!
well it is 50 / 50.....!!
i think this is not good idea...!
well...smoke...don't worry be happy!!!
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
"Don’t expect anything from life,expectations hurt.
When you don’t expect,every moment is a surprise and
every surprise brings happiness."
Since the ict Qatar is looking for suggestions- why not use Smoke's Idea. Let the existing users keep their current numbers and the new customers be issued with the 8 digit numbers ?
Tell us how you think this will impact you as a person or business. Any suggestions how this numbering plan can be improved?
Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)
Website: http://www.ictqatar.qa
Blog: http://www.digitalqatar.qa
Bloody hell, as it is i cant remember phone numbers, now they will add a number to make it 8 digits! I like my number the way it is...dont want anything before or after my special number. Q-tel needs to PAY us for doing this to us. Our special numbers are not going to be special anymore esp to those that paid to get it. Crappy move by Q-tel.
Further more that will mean existing business and business men and every other individual will need to update their business cards, phonebooks, contacts etc. Imagine people who have 300 friends in their phone, having up add just that 1 number before seems like a hell of a lot to do.
Why cant they just issue new numbers with 8 digits to new registering customers?
Good Fortune always comes knocking at your door...when you are sh*tting in the toilet!! :)
_[]~«ŠѪΘҜΞ»~[]_
My number will not change....it starts with "1" :)
How can you ever believe anything from Pajju or Rizks ?
deepb the first similar thread came from Pajju, you were still looking for reliable source???
Well at least this post comes with a reliable source. I was reluctant to believe the earlier posts.
Maybe I should post it again because soon this thread will not be on top either to make sure nobody misses it and keep reposting it through out the day to make sure everyone reads it.
My opening page is not the "first thread on top" - so I didn't see this before.
ictQ, thanks for info.
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Beauty lies in the eyes of the beerholder.
happen will Qler's suggestions.
Will they stop it.
Ok i want you to remove the Zero from my number and add 1 in it.
Re Re Post. Atleast see the first thread on top before posting, it's about the same thing.