Get ready! By October 6, Globe and PLDT landlines within the Greater Metro Manila Area will have 8 digits
(Update: Bayantel landlines within the 02 area code will also have an additional prefix – 3)
Heads up! October 6, 2019 will be a very important date for all of us. On that day, Globe and PLDT landline numbers within the Greater Metro Manila area (area code 02) will undergo number migration and will become 8 digits. Globe landline numbers will start with 7 while PLDT landline numbers will start with 8, followed by the original 7-digit number.
The number migration was supposed to happen last March 18 but was moved to October 6 due to petitions from the Bankers Association of the Philippines and Credit Card Association of the Philippines to give banks and credit card companies ample time to complete their operational and system adjustments.
The migration to an 8-digit phone number is in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) memorandum 10-10-2017 where the reason given is “to address the insufficient number of assignable exchange codes.”
Here’s a compilation I made of information from both Globe and PLDT’s websites.
What time will the number migration happen? Migration will happen on October 6, 2019 between 12:01 AM to 5 AM. There will be no dial tone during migration.
What phone services will be affected during the migration period?
For Globe, all phone numbers with a ’02’ area code, including DUO, will experience interruption of both incoming and outgoing calls. Specifically, it will cover voice services over landline, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Super Home Phone, DUO, and emergency numbers. Also affected will be # number services (e.g., #87000) although the dialing pattern stays the same after the migration period. International and domestic toll-free numbers (1-800) will likewise experience interruption but the dialing pattern stays the same.
For PLDT, direct lines, trunklines, PLDT Landline Plus, Call All, FEX Lines, SIP Trunks, ISDN and Vanity Numbers will be affected. Virtual numbers like short-digit numbers, Toll Free (domestic, international, and universal), Premium numbers such as embassy hotline and 1900 service hotline, and #MyNumber will be affected too.
Which phone numbers will change from 7 digits to 8-digit numbers?
All Metro Manila numbers using area code “02” with current 7 digits will become 8 digits.
For Globe, phone numbers will be prefixed with a 7; “Special/golden numbers” will follow the new number format.
For PLDT, phone numbers will be prefixed with an 8. Five-digit vanity numbers and shortened numbers in Metro Manila will also be extended to 8 digits.
What happens after migration?
For the next 3 months (from October 6, 2020 to January 6, 2020), anyone dialing the 7-digit number will hear a recording that the number has been changed to an 8-digit one.
For Globe phone numbers, here is what Globe’s website says: “…starting October 6, 2019 until January 5, 2020 – a period of three months – those who will call your old number will be able to hear an in-call voice recording on how to properly get in touch with you.”
For PLDT phone numbers, here is what PLDT’s website says: ” For a period of three (3) months after the migration from October 6, 2019 to January 6, 2020, customer who will still incorrectly dial the old 7digit number will hear a special announcement, that the number has been changed to 8-digit already (toll-free). After the special announcement is played, the call will be terminated. The customer needs to re-dial using the new 8-digit number. Customer who will still dial the 7-digit number 3 months after the migration shall hear this recording: The number you dialed is incorrect. Customer may call 171 to inquire about the correct dialing procedure.”
What will the dialing procedure be like after migration?
For those dialing from within Metro Manila: Just dial the 8-digit number
For those dialing Metro Manila from the provinces: Dial 0 + Area code (2) + 8-digit number
For those dialing Metro Manila from abroad: Dial 00 + Country code (63) + Area code (2) + 8-digit number
For those dialing from a mobile phone: Same dialing pattern. Just add ‘7’ or ‘8’ before the old 7-digit number
What can I do between now and October 6?
Businesses and organizations should pay attention specifically to this migration and must take immediate steps to advise their suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders about the migration change.
There may be a need to change business cards and all other information paraphernalia during this pre-migration period. These may include signages, posters/flyers, TV and radio commercials, outdoor billboards, and any other materials that contain the phone numbers affected.
Unfortunately, since migration will only happen on October 6, it is not practical to modify Greater Metro Manila contact numbers on one’s mobile phone ahead of time. We will all just have to bite the bullet and take time AFTER migration is completed to manually change numbers on our mobile phones.
For more details, you can also refer to the telco websites:
Globe: https://www.globe.com.ph/help/eight-digit-number-for-landlines-and-duo.html
PLDT: https://pldthome.com/updateto8
