DoT directs all telecom operators to switch to 13-digit mobile numbers

In a bid to offer better security features, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued a directive instructing all telecom operators in the country to start issuing 13-digit mobile numbers to M2M customers.

The numbers of existing customers will be migrated to 13-digits starting from 1 October, 2018. The migration would be completed by the deadline set for 31 December, 2018.

''The directive from DoT had come on January 8, 2018, post which we started work on it,'' said a senior BSNL official.

The official added, ''It is decided that 13-digit M2M (Machine-to-machine) numbering plan will be implemented from July 1, 2018. From this date onwards, all new M2M mobile connections will be allocated 13-digit numbers only... Migration of existing 10-digit M2M numbers will start latest by 1 October 2018 and shall be completed by 31 December 2018.''

In confirmation of the development, service provider, Bharti Airtel Ltd, in a written response to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) consultation paper on 'Spectrum, Roaming and QoS related requirements in Machine-to-Machine Communications', said, ''DoT has already approved a 13-digit numbering series for SIM-based M2M devices which will co-exist with the prevalent 10-digit mobile numbering scheme to be allocated for the Unified Licence (Access Service Authorization).''

The ministry of communication in a letter to TRAI said, ''13-digit numbering scheme has been approved for SIM-based M2M devices.''

Meanwhile, a BSNL spokesperson clarified that the telco is not planning to introduce 13-digit protocol for its customers.

The spokesperson further said that BSNL would bring the new 13-digit protocol to a machine to machine (M2M) communication and it is not meant for the general public. What this means is that BSNL customers should not be concerned over the transition from 10-digit numbers to 13-digit numbers.

It may be noted that M2M communication is a form of communication where the network devices exchange information and take actions without any manual assistance.

M2M communication finds application in warehouse management, robotics, traffic control, logistics services, supply chain management, fleet management, remote control and more.