Mr ADAMSON - 1995-03-01
Can the minister confirm that all government telephone numbers with an '89' prefix will be changed this year as a result of a Commonwealth program to implement 8-digit phone numbers across the country?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, members would be aware that NCOM is responsible for the Territory government's telephone network. Members may also be aware that Austel, the Commonwealth's telecommunications body, is implementing a national program to introduce 8-digit numbers across the country. As a result, there will be 2 changes to telephone numbers in the Territory, one in April of this year, and the second in April of next year.
All government and non-government phone customers can expect to make the change to 8-digit numbers from April next year. However, the first change will affect only the government's Darwin telephone numbers with the prefix '89' of which there are 5160. These '89' numbers represent over half the Territory government's private network. From 10 April this year, all government '89' prefix numbers will switch to '99' prefixes. For example, the main government switch number, 89 5511, will become 99 5511. We recognise that such a change will take some time to filter through and therefore the government system will allow dual trunking, or calls to both numbers, until December of this year.
After April of next year, all '99' government numbers, together with every other Territory number, will make the major change to 8-digit numbers. The main switch number, the 99 5511 number, will become 8999 5511. At that time, the area code will also be changed to 08.
Mr Ede: Isn't modern technology wonderful!
Mr REED: It is a pity Territorians do not have the opportunity to listen to the information that is being provided to them, without interjections from the Leader of the Opposition, to allow them at least to understand the changes that will occur.
Page 473
At that time, the area code will be changed to 08 as opposed to the current code of 089. The national changes by Austel will substantially increase the number of phone numbers available to the major national telecommunications carriers. As honourable members have indicated by interjection, that is rather a substantial change. I provide this information for their benefit and hopefully for the elucidation of Territorians who use the public service phone system.
Page 474
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, members would be aware that NCOM is responsible for the Territory government's telephone network. Members may also be aware that Austel, the Commonwealth's telecommunications body, is implementing a national program to introduce 8-digit numbers across the country. As a result, there will be 2 changes to telephone numbers in the Territory, one in April of this year, and the second in April of next year.
All government and non-government phone customers can expect to make the change to 8-digit numbers from April next year. However, the first change will affect only the government's Darwin telephone numbers with the prefix '89' of which there are 5160. These '89' numbers represent over half the Territory government's private network. From 10 April this year, all government '89' prefix numbers will switch to '99' prefixes. For example, the main government switch number, 89 5511, will become 99 5511. We recognise that such a change will take some time to filter through and therefore the government system will allow dual trunking, or calls to both numbers, until December of this year.
After April of next year, all '99' government numbers, together with every other Territory number, will make the major change to 8-digit numbers. The main switch number, the 99 5511 number, will become 8999 5511. At that time, the area code will also be changed to 08.
Mr Ede: Isn't modern technology wonderful!
Mr REED: It is a pity Territorians do not have the opportunity to listen to the information that is being provided to them, without interjections from the Leader of the Opposition, to allow them at least to understand the changes that will occur.
Page 473
At that time, the area code will be changed to 08 as opposed to the current code of 089. The national changes by Austel will substantially increase the number of phone numbers available to the major national telecommunications carriers. As honourable members have indicated by interjection, that is rather a substantial change. I provide this information for their benefit and hopefully for the elucidation of Territorians who use the public service phone system.
Page 474
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016