The full market liberalisation in April 2000 has led to rapid growth of the telecommunication market, resulting in increased demand for numbers. Implementing the 8-digit Numbering Plan ensures that there will be a sufficient number resource pool to cater to the expanding range of telecommunication services. The addition of an extra digit will increase the numbering capacity by ten-fold to 60 million. This will provide the much needed capacity and flexibility to cater for the growth in existing and new services that will ultimately benefit businesses and consumers in terms of greater choice.

The 8-Digit Numbering Plan will be introduced on 1 March 2002.

At present, your telephone number is '765 1234'. On 1 March 2002, it will become '6765 1234'.

Yes, existing 7-digit fax numbers will be also prefixed with the digit '6'.

The digit '6' was chosen because it is the least used leading-digit in Singapore's numbering plan. This means that a new 8-digit number '6765 1234' is not likely to duplicate an existing 7-digit number (for the first 7 digits). The digit '8' was not chosen as it is quite heavily used in Singapore and will create duplication thus resulting in wrong calls.

No, mobile and pager numbers beginning with the digit '9' are already using 8-digits. They will remain unchanged.

All emergency service numbers, such as the Police ('999') and Ambulance/Singapore Civil Defence Force services ('995') will not be affected.

Numbers with leading digit '0', '1' and '9' will remain unchanged. This includes directory assistance numbers (e.g. operator assistance service '100', time-check service '1711'); toll-free numbers ('1800'); premium service numbers ('1900') and international direct dialling access codes - will all be unaffected by the implementation of the 8-digit Numbering Plan.

Dial-up numbers for Internet access will be prefixed with the additional '6' as these are fixed line numbers. IDA has been working closely with the various Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to make sure that users are provided with the necessary assistance to reconfigure their dial-up accounts before1 March 2002. Please contact your ISP directly should you have any questions.

No, you will not have to change these telecommunication equipment as they are capable of handling longer digits. However, you have to reprogramme or update the stored 7-digit to new 8-digit numbers. The reprogramming task on some equipment can be done by users. If you encounter difficulty or have any question regarding reprogramming, you should contact your respective equipment vendors.

Back in 1995, there were sufficient numbers to cater for the various Public Switched Telephone Network services. It was only with the full liberalisation of the telecommunication market since April 2000, that the demand for numbers has risen significantly.

The IDA manages and administers the National Numbering Plan for Singapore. In co-ordinating the preparation work for the 8-digit Numbering Plan, IDA has been working closely with the network operators, service providers and equipment vendors since as early as 1998. The network operators and service providers are responsible for the technical implementation of the 8-Digit Numbering Plan so that their services will continue to be available to their customers when the new 8-digit number format becomes effective.

The network operators will bear the cost of technical implementation. End users are responsible to make sure that their equipment can work on 8-digit numbers. PABX and other office equipment may need to be reprogrammed for 8-digit working. These can be done by end users or as part of the routine maintenance by equipment vendors. Cost, if any, incurred for such reprogramming have to be borne by end users.

You are advised to start preparation as early as possible.

First, you should find out where your 7-digit phone or facsimile numbers have been programmed, for example:

• Telephones, caller-identification devices and facsimile machines
• Mobile phones and pagers
• Computers and modems
• PABX and alarm systems

Next you should ensure that the programmed numbers be changed to the 8-digit format from 1 March 2002 and no later than 1 April 2002. Please contact your equipment vendors to facilitate reprogramming or modification. IDA has conducted briefing sessions for the licensed equipment vendors on their role in assisting their customers to convert to the 8-digit Numbering Plan.

A list of the licensed equipment vendors is available on the IDA website www.ida.gov.sg, under the section "New Phone Numbering Format" under "List of Useful Contacts".

Finally, remember to inform your local and overseas friends and relatives to dial the additional '6' from 1 March 2002.

The preparation you have to carry out is the same as for the residential users. In addition, please also check where your 7-digit phone or facsimile numbers have been listed, for example:

• pre-printed business collateral like letterheads, envelopes, business cards
• publicity materials like advertisements and product brochures
• products and packaging
• building exteriors and company vehicles

You are advised to start planning as soon as possible in assessing your printing needs so that your contact numbers are correctly listed in the 8-digit format come 1 March 2002.

Finally, to make sure that everyone can still get in touch with you, please remember to notify your local and overseas customers, business partners, suppliers and other important contacts.

The preparation you have to carry out is the same as for the residential users. In addition, please also check where your 7-digit phone or facsimile numbers have been listed, for example: As some of the alarm systems are capable of initiating a remote dial-up through the Public Switched Telephone Network to the monitoring centres, it is envisaged that the 8-Digit Numbering Plan would affect these systems. Hence owners should arrange with their vendors to reprogramme the remote dial up of their equipment. IDA has conducted briefing sessions for all licensed alarm system vendors on their role in assisting their customers convert to the 8-digit Numbering Plan. A list of the licensed vendors is available on the IDA website www.ida.gov.sg, under the section, "New Phone Numbering Format" under the "List of Useful Contacts".

Local Calls
Date	Description of Change
1 March 2002	All 7-digit fixed-line telephone numbers will be prefixed with the digit '6'.
1 March 2002 - 31 March 2002	Parallel-run of 7 and 8-digit numbers, i.e. callers who dial the 7-digit numbers will still be connected.
1 April 2002 - 30 June 2002	Parallel run ends, only calls to the 8-digit numbers will be connected. Callers who dial the 7-digit numbers will hear a change number announcement, after which the calls will be disconnected. They will have to re-dial with the additional '6'.
After 30 June 2002	Callers who dial the 7-digit numbers will be disconnected with a service-unavailable tone.

Overseas calls to Singapore
Date	Description of Change
1 March 2002 - 31 August 2002	Parallel run of 7 and 8-digit numbers, i.e. callers who dial the 7-digit numbers will still be connected to Singapore.
After 31 August 2002	Overseas callers who dial the 7-digit numbers will hear a change number announcement, after which the calls will be disconnected. They will then have to re-dial with the additional '6'.

 

After 30 June 2002, callers who dial the 7-digit numbers will be disconnected with a service unavailable tone. Callers who require any assistance or clarification on the 8-digit Numbering Plan are advised to call the service enquiry lines of their respective network operators to find out more.

From 1 March 2002, all telephone numbers displayed on caller identification devices will be the 8-digit format.

Between 1 March 2002 till 31 March 2002, all itemised bill may be shown in 7 or 8-digit format depending on the numbers that were dialled. From 1 April 2002, all telephone and fax numbers dialled will be displayed in the 8-digit format.

IDA defines 'golden' numbers by the special formation of the last four digits, which will not be impacted by the addition of the '6' at the beginning of the number string. Should the public have queries or concerns regarding their 'golden' numbers, they are advised to contact their respective service providers who administer the 'golden' number scheme.

Yes, countries such as the Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have changed their numbering plans in the last few years, introducing longer dialling digits. It is anticipated that such change is necessary to increase the telecommunication numbering resource once every 10 to 20 years. Singapore last changed from 6 to 7 digits in mid- 1980s.

With the implementation of 8-Digit Numbering Plan, Singapore's numbering capacity will increase by another 60 million numbers. This pool of numbers will be sufficient to cater for future growth. IDA does not foresee a further change in the numbering plan in the near future.

The IDA and the network operators will execute a co-ordinated public relations programme from mid-2001. The public is advised to look out for information and updates in the local media.

In working out the details of the 8-Digit Numbering Plan, IDA had consulted closely with the network operators, service providers and telecommunication equipment vendors. The final plan takes into consideration the concerns and constraints of all parties involved. Since 1999, relevant technical committees have been formed to address specific areas, such as network implementation, customer premise equipment and public relations.

There is no need to change the current format (i.e. 1800/1900 7651234) of the 1800/1900 numbers as we still have adequate supply of such number resource. For information, many overseas countries retained the format for 1800/1900 numbers when they make changes to their numbering plan (for example migrate to 8-digit or 9-digit numbering plan).

For local calls: From 1 April 2002 - 30 June 2002, you will hear the change number announcement when you forget to dial the additional '6' For overseas incoming calls to Singapore: From 1 September 2002 - 28 February 2003, an overseas caller will hear the change number announcement if he/she did not add a '6' to the 7-digit local.

The change number announcement will be in four languages (i.e. English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil) for local calls and in English for international incoming calls.

Callers in Singapore will not be charged for listening to the change number announcement. As for overseas callers, whether they are charged for listening to the announcement depends on the charging arrangement of overseas telecom network operators and service providers.

The 8-digit numbers will not be reflected in the July 2001 telephone directory as the 8-digit numbering format will only be implemented on 1 March 2002. If the 8-digit numbers were captured in the July 2001 telephone directory, members of the public who start using those numbers will not get their calls connected. This will result in unnecessary confusion. The 8-digit fixed line numbers will be reflected in the July 2002 telephone directory.

The release date for the 2002 telephone directory is determined by SingTel Yellow Pages, publisher of the directory. There is a series of planned activities undertaken by SingTel Yellow Pages and changing the date of printing will impact on its other commercial commitments. Apart from the telephone directory, the implementation of the 8-digit numbering format will be widely publicised via other communication channels like bus and MRT advertisements, as well as direct mailers to households.

Associating the first three digits of a telephone number to a particular geographical area was only possible in the early days when the telephone network was operated by a single operator. This is no longer possible today because there are more service providers in the market. This means that subscribers of different service providers in the same area may have telephone numbers starting with different strings of the first three digits. Number portability also means you can retain your telephone number even if you have shifted. (a Toa Payoh resident shifting to Pasir Ris can retain the number 353 ABCD)

For calls from Malaysia to Singapore:
Existing dialling format is 02 765 1234
New dialling format is 02 6765 1234
For calls from other overseas countries to Singapore:
Existing dialling format is +65 765 1234
New dialling format is +65 6765 1234

Yes, calls to Malaysia are treated as international call.

In the 1960s, a 5-digit format was used. As the telephone network grew, the numbering plan evolved first, to a mix of 5- and 6-digit numbers in the 1960s and thereafter, to a uniform 7-digit format islandwide in the mid-80s. The current 7-digit numbering plan has been in place since the mid-1980s. The 8-digit format for mobile phones and pagers took effect on 1 September 1995.

IDA had conducted a study on the utilisation of number resource based on telecom network operators' and service providers' numbering requirements and the result was that there would be a need to implement the new 8-digit numbering plan by 1 March 2002

The time period was chosen because the volume of calls made is the lowest.

There will not be any disruption to phone services during the cutover on 1 March 2002.

With the addition of a digit '6', we will have created additional fixed line number resource. In future, we will have other range of 8-digit numbers (not beginning with 6) for fixed line services.

Yes, there will be other ranges of 8-digit number for mobile services when the existing pool of numbers beginning with '9' runs out.

Having parallel access together with the change number announcement would entail a very substantial amount of network and financial resources as compared to the planned arrangement. Through consultation with the network operators, it was decided that a parallel access period followed by a period with the change number announcement is a far more efficient, yet equally effective arrangement.

All the international call gateways will be reprogrammed to connect international incoming calls dialled using the 8-digit local number format

IDA together with the network operators have informed overseas telecommunication regulators and carriers in early 2001. Separately, users should inform their overseas contacts to dial the additional '6' in front of Singapore's 7-digit number from 1 March 2002.

If it is service-specific enquiry, callers in Singapore should contact your respective service providers.
SingTel 1800-8-DIGITS (1800-8-344487)
StarHub 1800-STARHUB (1800-7827482)

Questions pertaining to general policy may be referred to IDA at 1800-ADD-A-SIX (1800-2332749) or email: 1stDial6@ida.gov.sg.

Overseas callers should contact their local service providers who will be able to assist them. Information about Singapore's 8-digit numbering format has already been conveyed to the international community.

There will not be a need to re-type approve any telecommunication equipment that has been previously type approved. The introduction of the 8-digit numbering format does not affect the inter-working of the equipment with the public network.

If you have questions relating to the reprogramming of any equipment, please contact your telecommunication equipment vendors. The network operators and service providers can also provide information through their public enquiry lines. On general policy matters relating to the 8-digit Numbering Plan, you may contact IDA via our toll free line 1800-ADD-A-SIX (1800-2332749) or email: 1stDial6@ida.gov.sg.