The Communications Authority of Kenya has announced the release of a new prefix 01xxxx in addition to the prefix 07xxxxxxxx that is currently in use. The use of the new prefix will take effect immediately.
The authority says the move to release the new series of numbers was necessitated by increased demand for SIM cards, mobile data and Machine to Machine (M2M) communications, and other emerging technologies that require telecommunication numbers.
“The introduction of the new mobile numbering prefix 01 is in line with National Numbering Plan developed in 2002 by Authority, in consultation with ICT industry operators, the public and other stakeholders…..According to the plan, each prefix provides for a capacity of I00 million numbers.” CA said in a statement.
The Authority further noted that Safaricom and Airtel have already been issued with 2 million and 3 million numbers, respectively under this prefix.
“We, therefore, expect the new subscriber numbers to be available for use by consumers under the new prefix,” it noted.
