Qatar Telephone Number Change
QTEL to Change Qatar Numbers
Qtel is to add an extra digit to all telephone numbers.
The move will take place in July, when Qatar is at is quietest.
Why?
The entrance of Vodafone (and now Virgin Mobile) into the country has lead to intense competition.
And with customers unable to transfer old QTEL numbers to Vodafone, many people just maintain two (or more!) seperate handphones.
But that’s not all.
The country’s population is set to double by 2015 (I hope they have some public transport by then!) putting further strain on telephone numbers.
Which Qatar numbers are going to change?
All numbers beginning with 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The change affects both QTEL and Vodafone.
How are the numbers going to change?
The first digit of each number will double, as shown below.
3-33
4-44
5-55
6-66
7-77
For example:
a. 3145364 becomes 33145364
b. 4548764 becomes 44548764
c. 5765345 becomes 55765345
d. 6556645 becomes 66556645
e. 7654876 becomes 77654876
When is it going to happen?
July 28, 2010 at 12:01 Qatar time. What are you going to do about it?
We are planning to make a program to automatically change all the numbers in the website. If that doesn’t work we’ll be working all day to changes hundreds of numbers over. (Any volunteers to help us?)
Resources:
Check out the official QTEL page: Qatar Number Change
Vodafone: Your number is about to change
Also on QV:
An Interview with Vodafone
Qatar Mobile Phones
QTEL and Telephones in Qatar
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