Department of Telecom has given to the Telecom Operators in India that soon to issue 13-digit numbers. Trial is for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications like smart electric metres and car tracking devices. 13-digit numbers are only for M2M SIM cards.
Get to Known about DoT order for 13 Digit Numbers :>
13-digit numbers have been allocated to state-run firm BSNL and private telecom operators Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Idea Cellular and Vodafone for testing purposes only.
As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, all telecom licence holders should be allowed to provide M2M service using any spectrum.
The authority has approved allocation of "1 million codes for testing purpose for each LSA (licence service area)" to service providers.
M2M or machine2machine SIM cards are used in automated machines. M2M SIM cards are widely used in machines that run on network connectivity.
These machines could range from smallest of gadgets to big machinery but they all need Internet or mobile network connectivity for their basic functioning.
These are used for applications in smarthomes, fleet management, traffic control, supply chain, wearbles and more.
It all began with a letter sent from DoT to ZTE and Nokia. The letter specified, “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.”
Despite clearly mentioning that it was for M2M, the word SIM cards and numbers sent alarm bells ringing for common folk.
The DoT has notified telecom companies to issue only 13-digit numbers. The new numbering plan will come into effect from July 31, 2018 -- all new connections will be given a 13-digit numbers.
The existing M2M numbers will be migrated to 13-digits from October 1, 2018. The deadline for entire migration has been set to December 31, 2018.
When the 13-digit numbers come into play, India will have the longest mobile numbers (excluding country code). So far, China is the only country with 11-digit mobile numbers.
