Israel's Communications Ministry has announced plans to add an extra digit to all cell phone numbers in the country. This will take the phone numbers to seven digit and is expected to increase number capacity from the current 8 million to 60 million. The country has a population of about 6 million, so the plans allow for each Israeli to own 10 mobile phones each, although due to conventional reuse reservations, that would be realistically cut to each Israeli owning 5 handsets each, which is still rather a lot.
Currently, cell phone numbers are made up of a three digit area code and a six digit unique identifier. Under the new proposals, there will be "area codes" allocated based on the cellular network being used and then the six digit unique identifier will be extended to seven digits by pre-fixing it with the last digit of the current area code.
Cellcom will be allocated 052 as its area code, Partner (Orange) gets 054 and Pele-Phone retains its current 056.'"
Posted to the site on 23rd August 2002
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/7419.php