Figures from Cellcom, Partner Communications (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR; LSE: PCCD), and Pele-Phone show that Israelis use the new wireless dialing systems in 70-90% of their wireless calls. The new telephone numbers have ten digits instead of nine.
Cellcom reports that 70% of its customers have already updated electronic phone directories on their wireless phones, and the same proportion is using ten-digit numbers for their calls. Pele-Phone said that 75% of its customers had updated their directories, and over 80% of calls were made using the new numbers.
Partner’s figures show that it had the most use of the new system. 90% of calls on its networks were made using ten digits. The figures are encouraging, showing great awareness among wireless customers of the switch to ten digits.
It is therefore likely that the switch to ten digits, slated for November 1, will go fairly smoothly, with most people able to dial correctly.
Under the new system, each operator will have a single dialing code. Cellcom has been allotted 052, Partner 054, Pele-Phone 050, and MIRS 057.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on October 20, 2004