All telephone numbers with area code 02 will become 8 digits – PLDT

Starting October 6, 2019, all telephone numbers with area code “02” will migrate to the eight-digit format from seven-digit in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission’ (NTC), the PLDT Inc. announced.

PLDT said all existing seven-digit numbers will be migrated to an eight-digit phone number.

“This initiative is covered by NTC Memorandum Order No. 10–10–2017 dated last October 2017, which instructs telecommunication operators to expand telephone number range from 7-digit to 8-digit format,” PLDT Inc. said.

It said the NTC assigned a PTE (Public Telephone Entity) identified per telecommunication operator and No. 8 has been assigned to PLDT.

This means that for PLDT, subscribers will have to add “8” before their seven-digit numbers or 8XXX – YYYY.

PLDT said that as agreed amongst NTC and telecommunication providers, the migration schedule is set on October 6 from 12 a.m. to 5:00 AM.

PLDT HOME customers will expect 5 hours (from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) downtime (no dial tone) during the cut-over.

“This window will allow PLDT network to update to the eight-digit number format. Provincial and international callers shall not be able to reach all Metro Manila lines during the activity,” it said.

For a period of three (3) months after the migration from October 6 to January 6, 2020, a customer who will still incorrectly dial the old seven-digit number will hear a special announcement, that the number has been changed to eight-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.

For important calls during the migration, customers are encouraged to make use of other available means of communication.