Introduction

The Telecommunications Authority of Maldives (TAM) as the regulating body of telecommunication services in the Maldives has decided to change the Maldives National Numbering Plan for both fixed lines and Mobile services.

The main reason for changing the Numbering Plan is to create additional numbers to meet the demand, especially with the introduction of mobile competition.

Dhiraagu, as the current service provider for both fixed lines and mobile services, will be closely working with TAM to make our customers and the general public aware of this important change and to make the transition to the new Numbering Plan as smooth as possible.

New Numbering Plan

Under the new numbering plan all fixed and mobile numbers in the Maldives have changed from the current 6 digits to 7 digits, as follows:

Mobile services - The digit ‘7’ has been added in front of all existing Dhiraagu Mobile and pager numbers.

Fixed lines services - The digit ‘3’ has been added in front of all fixed line numbers in the Male’ region (Male’, Villingilli, Hulhule’ and Hulhumale’). The first 2 digits of all fixed line numbers outside the Male’ region has been replaced by a 3 digit code identifying the Atoll.

Dial-up Internet service - The old 6-digit numbers have been changed to 3-digit numbers as follows:

Ordinary dial-up: 126 (old 381381)
ISDN dial-up: 127 (old 382382)
Prepaid Internet: 128 (old 383383)

Special 3-digit numbers - 3-digit special numbers such as 102 (Ambulance), 118 (Fire) and 123 (Dhiraagu Customer Services) will not change.

Timings

Keeping in touch when your number changes

To minimize the inconvenience caused to our customers due to the change in their contact numbers, Dhiraagu will arrange for the following:

• Mobile customers will be able to receive incoming calls on the old and new number for the first 5 months from the date of changeover to new numbering plan. After that, callers will hear a recorded announcement for 2 months, guiding them to dial correctly.
• Fixed line customers, except those in the atolls that currently share the same first 2 digits, will be able receive incoming calls on the old and new number for the first 2 months after the changeover. After that, callers will hear a recorded announcement for 2 months, guiding them to dial correctly.
• Due to technical reasons, fixed line customers in the atolls that currently share the same first 2 digits (shown in italics in the pop-up table) will not receive incoming calls on the old numbers. Callers to these numbers will hear a recorded announcement from the date of the changeover, guiding them to dial correctly.

Getting ready for the new Numbering Plan

To minimize the impact of the change in telephone and mobile number we recommend that you do the following as soon as the new numbers become effective.

• Update the telephone numbers stored in the address book of your mobile phone, fixed line phone, PDA etc.
• Update the telephone numbers stored in your fax machine including the fax identity number.
• Update the automatic dialing numbers such as 381381 (Internet dial up number) on your computer.

You would also need to ensure the new numbers are used when you reprint any stationary such as business cards and letterheads. In fact, we would recommend that you show only the new 7 digit fixed and mobile numbers on all stationary after 31 July 2005.