|
Number Puzzles
Readers of the daily newspapers may have been puzzled when a few
weeks ago an advert appeared stating that Zamtel would be changing
their telephone numbers with effect from 1 May. That fact that they
were changing was not what was puzzling, but rather what it all
meant and exactly how it all works.
We contacted Zamtel who were unable to give us any explanation, but
did direct us to the Communications Authority who have clarified the
issue.
Firstly, the changes in the national numbering plan are being done
so as to increase capacity in the telephone system and to promote
and accommodate competition in the industry. They are adding one
additional digit to each number as currently, with only 6 digits,
any one company can only provide up to 999,999 telephone
lines/connections. By adding one digit, this increases to
9,999,999. The change to the Zamtel landlines will also facilitate
entrance into the market of any new network operators providing
landlines. Sounds good so far.
But how does it all work. Simple. If you are dialling within the
same system e.g. Zamtel landline to Zamtel landline, you would still
dial as you do now. The town code, where applicable, followed by
the number. Example to call Lusaka 555-555, you would dial 01
555-555. But assuming a new operator (let’s call them
Whatagoodidea) enters the market, and you are calling from the
Whatagoodidea network to a Zamtel line, you would have to add the
Zamtel prefix. Lets assume you are calling a Zamtel line in Lusaka
and the current number is 555-555, you would now dial 021 (Zamtel
prefix) 1 (Lusaka code) 555-555 (the number). No too difficult.
But, its not finished yet. Mobile phones or cell phones as we call
them here. There are changes there as well. All Zamtel mobile
numbers will have a 5 put in front of them; so 095 555-555 becomes
095 5555-555; MTN number 096 555-555 becomes 096 6555-555. Not
difficult, but Celtel numbers are a bit more involved. The current
number 097 555-555 become 097 7555-555, the current number 098
555-555 becomes 097 8555-555 and the current 099 555-555 becomes
097 9555-555.
These planned changes in the numbering plan become effective 1 May,
but a dual system will run until 1 October of this year, after which
only the new numbers will work. This sounds good and well planned,
but the implications to businesses on the cost involved in changing
stationery, brochures etc is going to be enormous. Especially, it is
going to impact very heavily on the tourism industry who prepare,
print and distribute brochures and marketing material two to three
years in advance. Perhaps the planned changes to the numbering plan
could have been better planned. |
May
2007