8-digit phone number system becomes effective

Apr 1, 2008

GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA - The Guanacaste Journal (InfoCom)

Starting on March 20, numbers of all landline and cellular telephones have gone from seven to eight digits. The previous phone number change in Costa Rica had taken place 14 years ago, in 1994. 

The new change consists in adding a “2” in front of all landline commercial and residential phone numbers, and an “8” in front of all cell phone numbers.Emergency telephone number 911 and all 800 and 900 numbers will not be affected by the change. Other services, such as 113 and 115, won’t change, either.

Users don’t need to take any additional steps to make a call, other than making sure to dial all eight digits. If a telephone device experiences problems with the new numbering system, users are asked to turn it off and on again.

Additionally, if a telephone device has numbers stored in its memory, users will need to make the modifications one by one. Some newer cell phone models, such as the “smart phones,” can be connected to a computer where it’s easier to make changes through the user’s list of contacts. People are also advised to let friends, relatives, acquaintances and business contacts know about this change to avoid any communication glitches.

The new numbering system will also mean changes to business signage, advertising and stationary.According to Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) officials, the new system will meet the current and future needs of the National Telecommunications System (SNT), taking into consideration the growth and distribution of its clientele and the capabilities required by new services brought about by technological innovations.The change seeks to allow more capacity to satisfy the needs of new services such as Third Generation Mobile Telephony (3G) and Voice Over IP (VOIP). The change in numbers also applies to users who connect to the Internet through their telephone line via commuter service.

Source: http://www.journalcr.com/