Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan. 9/ Trend , K. Konirova/
Kazakhstan's leading telecommunications company, Kazakhtelecom, will begin operating emergency and information telephone services, company spokeswoman Aliya Dalabayeva told Trend .
"Access numbers starting with 0 will now begin with 1 in compliance with international standards," Dalabayeva said. "The numbers are being changed to keep our numeration plan in line with international standards, as well as to implement an agreement to use the seventh zone between the Kazakh Information and Communications Agency and Russian IT and Communications Ministry," Dalabayeva said.
She said the numbers will change gradually. Aside from Almaty, nationwide information service numbers will shift from Jan. 9. Almaty will begin using the new numeration later. The 09 inquiry service number will change in March.
"So, in order to contact the Central Repair Bureau, for instance, customers will dial 165 and not 065," Dalabayeva said. "Customers will also dial 169 for paid reference services as opposed to 069."
The old information numbers will operate until March 31 to ensure customers shift smoothly to the new numbers.
"The second stage beginning March 18 will include changing the rescue and emergency numbers throughout the country - 01, 02, 03, 04, 051 and 09," she said. "The information numbers in Almaty will change at the same time."
Both old and new rescue and emergency numbers will operate simultaneously until June 15.