Home / International News / Jamaica Implements 10-digit Telephone Dialing

Jamaica Implements 10-digit Telephone Dialing

KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 31, 2018 (CMC) – Today Jamaica became the first country in the Caribbean to introduce 10-digit dialing.

According to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), the introduction to move the country from the seven-digit system was implemented as the current 876 area code is nearing exhaustion and, as a result, a new 658 area code will also be added.

However the new area code will not take effect until the 876 area code is exhausted.

The OUR says that in December 2009, 6.25 million of the assumed capacity of 7.73 million numbers had been assigned to telecommunications service providers and their projected five-year demand for numbers indicated a need for 1.31 million new numbers over the next three years.

Yesterday, the OUR reminded customers to update contact lists with 876, preceding all local numbers in preparation for the new regime.

However customers will be allowed to continue dialing seven digits until October 30, in order to allow them to become familiar with the new 10-digit dialing.

The two major telecommunication providers FLOW and Digicel customers, who dial seven digits, will receive a recording, reminding them that 10-digit dialing is in effect, before the call is connected. 

But come November 1, if customers fail to utilise the new dialing regime, they will be asked to hang up and dial again using 10 digits.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Scroll To Top