Jordan’s Fastlink plans to move to the 7-digit numbers in view of its exponential growth rate and in tandem with expanding its network, whose capacity will be boosted to one million subscribers by the end of this year.
The transfer to the new system will take place by adding number five to all operating Fastlink numbers on Sept. 21, said the company in a statement, cited by the Jordan Times newspaper.
The new numbering system will be implemented automatically. Prior to this adjustment a substantial advertising and media campaign, to inform Fastlink customers about this forthcoming change, will take place.
A free-of-charge automatic service system will answer people dialing old numbers to advise them to add the extra digit.
All other numbers related to voice and data services offered by Fastlink including customer service lines, automatic answering lines (including 111, 116, 115, and 179), SMS and WAP settings will be unaffected.
“The process of adding a new digit to the existing six numbers has become a necessity in view of the network expansion. This will raise our capacity to more then a million subscribers which in turn will upgrade our service quality and allow our subscriber base to grow,” said Engineer Bassem Al Rousan, Fastlink's vice president and director of engineering department in the statement.
Jumana Twal, communication and PR manager at Fastlink, in the statement said: “We have taken all precautionary measures necessary for making this switch to the new system smooth and seamless. Regarding our customers, attention was paid to change as little as possible so as not to create confusion. Customers will only have to add the additional number five to all old numbers. Fastlink has also fortified this modification with a huge awareness campaign to introduce everyone to it. Our automatic service system will inform users dialing old numbers of this new change. This service will continue for a long period of time. In spite of all this, and what inconvenience it might create for some people, I am sure that Jordanian citizens will realize the necessity of this expansion and will excuse their favorite mobile network.” – Albawaba.com
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