Reporter's Notebook Time to let go of '011' phone numbers

Samsung 2G cell phones released in 2003. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Kim Hyun-bin

SKT, the country's leading mobile carrier, received conditional approval to end its outdated second-generation (2G) cellular network services June 12, which will allow it to deactivate cellphone numbers that start with 011 or 017 in June 2021. The move has sparked opposition from 011 number users who claim the government is violating their right to choose, forcing them to switch to an unwanted new number.

The Korean government incorporated the first three digits of mobile numbers to 010 in 2002, but 011 users have been urging the government to let them maintain their current numbers.

SKT users can use the existing first three digits of their mobile phone numbers, mostly 011, until June 2021. After that period, the first three digits will all be changed to 010, which are currently utilized for 3G phones and higher.

We have to take into consideration where the opposition comes from and how inconvenient it could be to give up a number they have grown fond of over the years, as the 2G users are mostly in the older age bracket. However, there are more benefits to be obtained for the overall mobile users through switching to 010.

Once the change of 010 is complete by next June, users will be able to save time by just entering the last eight digits of the number they are trying to call.

Telecommunication companies will be able to utilize the unused 011, 016, 017, 018 and 019 digits for in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and internet of things.

The judicial branch was also onboard the change. In 2013, the Constitutional Court in a unanimous ruling deemed the switch to 010 constitutional, although 011 users have requested a review claiming it infringes on their right to choose and happiness.

As listed, the use of 010 is expected to provide diverse benefits to consumers, but the only advantage in maintaining the other numbers is the convenience factor for users who have maintained the same number over the years.

Maintaining the 2G network also creates a hefty burden on telecom companies.

SKT also cited high operating costs to run the outdated 2G equipment and a decline in subscribers.

The company was the first to introduce 2G service in 1996 and has operated it for the past 23 years although subscribers have dropped significantly, reaching only 384,000 in the country as of June 1 this year, a significantly smaller percentage compared to the 70 million mobile subscribers in the country.

The telecom company said earlier that it would offer 2G users a way to easily convert to 3G, 4G long-term evolution (LTE) and even the latest 5G mobile networks, providing various incentives.

In 2011, KT ended its 2G services. LG U+ has not announced any plans to end its 2G services.

Considering all these factors surrounding the 2G network, it is time the issue regarding the use of 011 and other older numeric prefixes is put to rest.