The Truth About 13-Digit Mobile Number: It’s Fake News!

A DoT order for machine to machine (M2M) numbers seem to have caused a lot of confusion among the general public. The department of telecommunications issued a directive to tele operators to implement 13-digit numbering for M2M communication. The report was being misinterpreted by several media houses saying the present 10-digit mobile numbers will soon make way for 13-digit ones! And this will be implemented from July 1! If you are among those to have read the misleading report, here's what you should know.

So, what's the truth about the 13-digit mobile numbers?

For starters, your cellphone number won't change. your mobile number will remain 10 digits.

What is M2M?

Well, Machine to machine or M2M numbers are those used for SIMs in devices like cars, electricity meters and swipe machines.

In an earlier report, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked telecom service providers to start issuing 13-digit digit numbers for SIM based machine-to-machine (M2M) services, which will co-exist with 10-digit numbers.

The DoT had approved the scheme and a letter on it was sent to various departments on February 9, 2018.

M2M services are those where internet-enabled devices like point-of-sale machines or even latest refrigerators communicate through a SIM card. This decision will not have any effect on mobile phone SIMs.

During the meeting, it was decided that 13-digit M2M numbering plan will be implemented from July 1, 2018. From this date onwards, all new M2M mobile connections will be allocated l3-digit numbers only.

The DoT said all service providers must ensure that their network elements including IT and other relevant systems are aligned with 13-digit numbering for M2M SIMs before July 1, 2018.

Migration of existing 10-digit M2M numbers to 13 digits will start latest by October 1, 20I8 and shall be completed by December 31, 2018, it said.