Shift from 11 to 10-digit phone numbers officially begins

The shift in phone numbers will be carried out within two months

Several days ago, mobile operators MobiFone, Viettel, and VinaPhone sent notices about the shift to all subscribers. Accordingly, aiming to shorten the shifting time, the operators integrated the task into their mobile applications. Thus, subscribers can easily change their phone numbers by themselves.

In line with the shift, local banks also support their clients via phone messages to update their new phone numbers into mobile banking applications. Specifically, with the banks’ support, customers can easily update their phone numbers via texting a message to the banks’ hot line instead of visiting transaction points as before.

The Ministry of Information and Communications' (MIC) decision behind the shift means to create favourable conditions to approach high-quality telecommunications services like 5G, as well as to take the first step towards mobile number portability (MNP), which enables mobile phone users to retain their phone numbers while changing carriers.

“As science and technology are striding forward and new telecommunications services emerge, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, we need to adjust the phone number database to match the long-term development needs of the telecommunications market and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The move is realistic and matches international technology trends,” said Tran Manh Tuan, deputy general director of the Authority of Telecommunications.

MobiFone’s representative also said that MNP cannot be achieved without the shift from 11 to 10 digits. Mobile operators first have to complete the change in phone numbers, then they can change to MNP. Both shifts are sizeable projects and need a lot of technical staff as there are millions of subscribers.

According to the MIC’s plan on shortening mobile phone numbers to 10 digits by replacing three-digit carrier prefixes with new two-digit prefixes, mobile phone numbers beginning with 166, 122, 199, 188 will be replaced by 80, 30, 50, and 70, depending on the carrier. Mobile phone numbers currently using two-digit prefixes will remain unchanged.