Jamshedpur, Nov. 11: From December, you will have to dial seven digits instead of the usual five or six to call up your friend anywhere within the ambit of Jamshedpur circle of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

BSNL landline telephone numbers in the three districts of East and West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan are all set to witness sweeping changes from mid-December this year.

The six and five digit telephone numbers in these three districts would be converted to seven digit numbers. The Jamshedpur circle of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which oversees the functioning of the telecom system in these three districts, has already started this massive exercise by undertaking necessary technical work in this regard.

According to general manager, Jamshedpur circle of BSNL F.H. Zaidi, work for introducing the uniform number system in the BSNL have already started and it would take a month’s time for making the process complete.

“Converting six and five digit numbers of these three districts to seven digit numbers under the Jamshedpur telecom circle is part of nation-wide exercise and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December,” he said.

Sources said all other places in the state, including the state capital Ranchi, would witness changes in telephone numbers as they would also be converted into seven digit numbers.

Zaidi said not only in the steel city, but in areas like Seraikela, Ghatshila, Chakradharpur, Chaibasa and Noamundi, the five digit telephone numbers exist would be replaced by seven- digit telephone number.

“We want to keep a special identity of BSNL since so many private parties are flooding the telecommunication sector,” said Zaidi, explaining the move.

According to officials in the Jamshedpur telecom’s commercial division, telephone numbers in the state would begin with the same digit, but STD codes would remain the same.

“The first digit that has been allotted to Jharkhand would be known later when the final stage of conversion begins,” sources said and added that there would be no change in the digits of the existing STD codes.

“The change in the telephone numbers had become imperative since private telephone companies like Reliance and Hessar are going to introduce landline service shortly. These companies would also provide five or six digit numbers to customers,” sources said.

Sources said since BSNL is the largest telecommunication organisation, it should have a separate identity across the country.

”This was the reason that Jamshedpur telecom circle like any other

circle of the state getting converted

to the seven-digit number,” sources commented.

According to sources, the BSNL has to provide all infrastructural

facilities to the Reliance telephone

service in spreading its network.

”While keeping its special identity across the country, the BSNL has to

provide the infrastructural

facilities to its competitor. None of the companies except the BSNL has

the infrastructure in the

telecommunication system in the country and the BSNL will have to take

care of the interest of the

private companies,” said the sources.

eom