PLDT, Inc. will be migrating to eight-digit landline numbers for subscribers in Metro Manila and nearby towns starting Oct. 6.
The telecommunications firm notified customers in a statement Wednesday that all landline numbers with the area code “02” will now include a “8.”
This means that for users in Metro Manila, Rizal Province, San Pedro, Laguna, and Bacoor, Cavite, landline numbers that used to be (02)123-4567 will become (02)8123-4567 by Oct. 6.
“We would like to encourage our subscribers in Metro Manila and other ‘02’ areas to start disseminating their updated numbers to their callers and updating their promotional materials such as business cards, websites, and social media,” PLDT Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto said in the statement.
The transition is in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 10-10-2017 of the National Telecommunications Commission, which required telecommunications entities to have an identifier for fixed-line numbers.
PLDT said the new landline numbers would be rolled out from midnight to 5:00 a.m. on Oct. 6.
Globe Telecom, Inc., another provider of landline numbers, is also required to migrate to an 8-digit number by the Oct. 6 deadline of the government.
The Ayala-led firm was assigned the number “7” as its identifier, meaning landline users of Globe with an area code of “02” would change contact numbers from 02)123-4567 to (02)7123-4567.
Both telecommunications firms committed to reach out to its subscribers on the upcoming change in its systems.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez
