New landline area codes of 59 provinces and cities

According to the new plan issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications, 13 provinces will implement the conversion of landline area codes in phase 1, starting from February 11, 2017 (illustrative photo. Source: Internet)

The decision to issue the area code conversion plan was just signed by Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan on November 21, 2016.

According to the plan, the current area codes of 59/63 provinces and cities nationwide (except for the area codes of 4 provinces: Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh and Ha Giang, which will remain the same) will be converted to new area codes planned in the Telecommunications Numbering Plan issued with Circular 22 dated December 22, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The plan states that to ensure quick and convenient area code conversion for businesses and service users while still meeting parallel dialing requirements, the area code conversion is divided into 3 phases.

New fixed telephone area codes of 59/63 provinces and cities nationwide.

Specifically, in phase 1, the area codes of 13 provinces and cities including Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh will be converted. The conversion will start at 0:00 on February 11, 2017, the parallel dialing period will end at 23:59 on March 12, 2017 and the notification tone period will end at 23:59 on April 14, 2017.

In phase 2, the area code conversion will be implemented in 23 provinces and cities: Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Can, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, An Giang, Kien Giang and Soc Trang. The conversion will start at 0:00 on April 15, 2017, end parallel dialing at 23:59 on May 14, 2017 and end the notification tone maintenance period at 23:59 on June 16, 2017.

For phase 3, the area codes of 23 provinces and cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Vinh Long, Binh Phuoc, Long An, Tien Giang, Binh Duong, Ben Tre, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap will be converted. The conversion will start at 0:00 on June 17, 2017, end parallel dialing at 23:59 on July 16, 2017 and end the notification sound maintenance period at 23:59 on August 31, 2017.

Also according to the Plan, in order to minimize the loss of communication that may occur before, during and after the area code conversion process, each stage will be carried out in 4 steps: Announcement on domestic mass media, telecommunications management agencies of countries, International Telecommunication Union at least 60 days before the conversion; Carry out technical measures to dial in parallel for 30 days from the time of starting the conversion; Maintain the announcement for at least 30 days (from the time of ending parallel dialing); After the announcement maintenance ends, calls will only be successful when users dial according to the new area code.

To minimize the negative impacts that may arise on businesses and service users, and harmonize social benefits and costs, the Area Code Conversion Plan must meet the following purposes and requirements: ensuring the safety of the telecommunications network and information security before, during and after the area code conversion process; the area code conversion is carried out quickly and conveniently for businesses and users; implementing technical measures to minimize the loss of communication that may occur before, during and after the area code conversion process by allowing service users to dial according to the old and new area codes (parallel dialing) during the area code conversion period; maintaining notification sounds after the area code conversion for a reasonable period of time; in accordance with international practices when conducting area code conversion; Area codes nationwide are converted and put into operation and use in accordance with the area codes planned in the Telecommunications Numbering Plan issued with Circular 22 dated December 22, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to Infonet