Morocco to use ten-digit phone numbers on mobile boom

Phone numbers in Morocco, now using nine digits, will comprise ten digits starting March 6, to meet the needs of the growing mobile networks, telecom regulatory body, ANRT said on Wednesday.

    ANRT justified the decision by the increasing demands in numbers, and particularly in mobile telephony networks, ensuring that calling prices will not be changed.

    Thus, fixed-line phone numbers starting with 02 or 03 will change into 052 and 053. Mobile phone numbers starting with 01, 04, 05, 06 or  07 will have a 5 after 0, while those starting with 08 or 09 will become 080 and 089.

    To dial, from abroad, a Moroccan land-line number starting with +2122 or + 2123, add 5 before 2 or 3 (i.e. 21252 or 21253).

    When calling a mobile phone starting with +2121, +2124, +2125, +2126 or +2127, a 6 should be added before 1, 4, 5, 6 or 7. For international calls to numbers starting with +2128  or +2129, replace 8 by 80 and 9 by 89.

    The changes will not apply to international calls from Morocco, special service numbers and emergency numbers, ANRT said.

MAP