Your mobile number has changed
On 28 July, mobile and fixed line numbers in Qatar automatically gained an extra digit. The change took place seamlessly at midnight without an interruption to Vodafone's network service.
To achieve this, the first digit in these numbers was repeated. For example, if your number was 7925522, it now becomes 77925522. The change affected numbers beginning with 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Emergency services numbers in Qatar, including 999 and 112, did not change. Neither have the numbers you currently dial for Vodafone Customer Care, 111 and 8007111. Numbers used for SMS, toll free and paging services, short codes and numbers owned by the Ministry of Interior will also remain the same. These numbers begin with 1, 2, 8 and 9. The country code (+974) was not be affected.
We're helping Qatar to keep on growing
With rapid growth in the business sector, and population figures expected to double by 2015, the phone number expansion will mean there are enough numbers to meet the increasing demand in Qatar.
On announcing the changes, William Fagan, Executive Director of ictQATAR's Regulatory Authority said, "As the nation's ICT policy and regulatory body, ictQATAR is ensuring that businesses and individual consumers will be able to access a broad range of network services for years to come."
We will be guiding our customers through the transition. For three months following the change, anyone calling a discontinued number will hear an automated message reminding them to dial again by repeating the first digit.
More information is available at www.ictqatar.qa. If you have any other questions you can call our Customer Care Team anytime on 800 7111 or 111 from a Vodafone mobile.
Is there an easy way to update the numbers stored in my phone?
Updating the phone directory is different for every handset. Please consult your handset manual for further details.
For some of the phones, like iPhone, BlackBerry and most Nokia phones, there are applications available that can help you to update your address book. Here's a list of links to 3rd party websites that you might find useful.
As these applications have not been developed by Vodafone Qatar, please be aware that we cannot accept responsibility for any loss of data or damage to your mobile. These applications are designed to change your address book so we strongly recommend you make a back up of your phone book before using them. If you have any questions about using these tools please contact the software developer.
QMyNumber
This application will update your Microsoft Outlook address book. To use this tool you will need a phone with software capable of synchronising your address book with Outlook. The application is free of charge.
Arabic: http://qmynumbers.info/a/
English: http://qmynumbers.info/e/
QWIC
The Qatar University Wireless Innovation Centre has developed an application that updates all contacts on your iPhone. A version for Nokia phones is under development and expected to be released before the number change day on 28 July 2010. The application is free of charge.
English: http://www.quwic.com/
Qontacts
This application will be available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Java ME enabled phones (e.g. Nokia, Sony Ericsson). The application is free of charge.
Arabic: http://www.qontactsapp.com/
English: http://www.qontactsapp.com/en
QQatar NNumbers
Compatible phones for this tool are iPhone, BlackBerry and Nokia S60 phones. Other systems like Android and Java are under development. The application costs EUR 2.99 (~ QAR 11) for each system.
English: http://www.qatar-numbers.com/
What if I'm unhappy with how the extra digit has affected my Star Number or My Number?
If you reserved a Star Number and are unhappy with how the number change has affected it, we can offer you a new number of the same value. If you don't want a replacement number you can get a refund in accordance with our number policy. You'll be able to choose another free number from Vodafone and we will take back your old number.
Customers who reserved My Numbers or Star Numbers and are unhappy with how the extra digit has affected their number should speak with a customer care champion. Dial 111 from your Vodafone number or 800 7111 from another line.
Please note: You cannot get a Star Number refund if the reservation fee for your number was donated to charity - whether via the Star Numbers auction, the online auction, or any other situation where Vodafone clearly stated that the proceeds were going to charity.
You can request a number replacement or refund until 30 September 2010.
Have a question about the National Numbering Plan? Check out our National Numbering Plan Frequently Asked Questions to find your answer.
