UTL Upgrades Cell Number to 10-digit

United Telecom Ltd (UTL) has increased its seven-digit number to 10-digit from today. The new format of 10digit starting with 97 is followed by 2 -- the operator code for UTL -- and area code with one digit code for Kathmandu and two digits out side the valley for limited mobility service of UTL's prepaid and post paid mobile phones was allocated one-and-a-half year ago.

"The 10-digit number requirement for UTL mobile service that was allocated long ago is being implemented," said Ananda Raj Khanal, director of Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA).

"Along with the 10-digit number UTL can accommodate more subscribers in its network, Khanal said adding that UTL network can increase its number of subscriber as it can accommodate more with 10-digit number.

Meanwhile, Madan Singh, general manager at the UTL said that with the new 10-digit number UTL would be more competitive. UTL has at present about 1.55 lakh users.

Along with 10-digit number, UTL has also started its Short Message Service (SMS) service with Nepal Telecom (NT), and Spice Nepal Pvt Ltd (SNPL) -- the provider of Mero Mobile.

"Itsbeen 15 days since we have started SMS ser vices with other service providers," Singh informed adding that UTL already had the facility to send SMS but it was not implement ed. "Now UTL users can send SMS to NT and Mero Mobile holders," he added.