Pressure on mobile-phone codes continues to be strong because of new applications

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) does not expect a shortage of 06-numbers to occur anytime soon (in the Netherlands, mobile phones are assigned 06-numbers). Almost 91% of all available numbers for mobile phones have already been assigned to telecom providers, but it turns out that they still have approximately 35% of those numbers in stock. This has been revealed by ACM’s Number Issuance Monitor 2016.

Henk Don, Member of the Board of ACM, explains: “Our oversight efforts are paying off. We actively contacted telecom providers, reminding them of their responsibility of issuing 06-numbers correctly. They are no longer allowed to issue 06-numbers for devices such as e-readers and tablets. Furthermore, ACM has assigned fewer new 06-numbers to telecom providers.”

For all devices that require an internet connection but with which you cannot make any calls, telecom providers must use 097-numbers. However, pressure on 06-numbers in the Netherlands will continue to be a point of attention in the long term. Demand for 06-numbers remains high, for example, because of innovative electronic communication services. New apps often compete with traditional phone services.

Fewer calls using the landline, more geographic phone numbers

Fewer people use landlines. Yet the number of geographic phone numbers continues to grow. This growth is primarily fueled by an increase in the number of market participants that use geographic phone numbers to offer business phone services over the Internet. 

ACM does not foresee a shortage of geographic phone numbers. In the three-digit area code regions, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague have the highest issuance rates. Approximately 70% of all numbers have been issued in those regions. In the four-digit area code regions, the towns of Spijkenisse, IJsselsteden and Roermond have the highest issuance rates, which is slightly above 70%.