PTA to introduce new network system for cellular operators

ISLAMABAD (December 21 2007): The government will introduce new numbering system for cellular operators by January 2008, enabling them to expand their customer base without going into the trouble of introducing new network access codes, sources told Business Recorder.

Under the new system, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will replace the existing seven digits with eight and network access code will be reduced from four to three digits. With the implementation of new system, they aid that the cellular operators would be able to accommodate a large number of subscribers at one access code without opting for new one. Presently the mobile operators could have one million subscribers at one network access code and to accommodate more they have to go for new one.

Mobile companies, they said, will start subscribers' awareness campaign from January next year. The new numbering plan for eight digits with three number access code, they said was designed to resolve the problem of frequent allocation of network access code to various mobile operators to meet the needs arising out of phenomenal growth in the cellular mobile sector.

It was also aimed at enhancing numbering plan capacity to create enabling environment for new local loop licensees to share the numbering resource without any constraints, they added.

They said that all the stakeholders, telecom operators, have agreed to the new numbering plan. A consultation, paper, they said was prepared a year ago and all the stakeholders were taken on board about the idea of new numbering plan for the benefit of the telecom sector and above all for cellular operators.

Now, they said all the stakeholders have agreed and cellular companies will run awareness campaign among the subscribers by January next year to switch them over to new system.

Pakistan plans to cover 90 percent of the population by 2015, which would be around 185.6 million, whereas the present tele-density for both the fixed and the mobile lines will also grow. At least one service, landline, WLL or mobile has to be catered fully.

They said that the expected growth in the telecom sector will multiply the need for geographic and non-geographic numbers leaving out the existing numbering plan short of capacity in a couple of years. The numbering plan needs to be revised to accommodate the surge.

The change from seven to eight digits for mobile and fixed line services were necessitated because the telecom sector is undergoing transformation from circuit switching to packet switching. New technologies promise cost-effective roll out solutions leading the way to cheaper solution for the end user, providing an edge to the operators to launch the services with comparatively small Capex and lower operational costs.
Source: http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=6 … p;supDate=