The mobile numbers beginning with the digit “ 9 ” have reportedly been depleted, and the Department of Telecom (DoT) is looking to roll out new mobile numbers beginning with the digit “ 8 ”.

Because of the surging number of mobile phone subscribers in India, the Dot has run out of the mobile numbers starting with the digit 9, and consequently, the DoT is gearing up to introduce new mobile numbers starting with the digit 8.

The DoT is reportedly in process to introduce 10 crore new numbers beginning with the digit “ 8 ”. The DoT will keep 50% of the new numbers reserved for itself, and approximately the other half of the new numbers will be distributed among companies.

Hereafter, the mobile telecom operators will get the 95 sub-level number, originally meant for STD or trunk calls, under the DoT’s instruction to invalidate the 95 from the landline operation.

The Telecom regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has revealed that the number of mobile subscribers in India at the end of May 2009 was 415 million, massively up from 277 million, a year ago. Seeing the growing number of mobile subscribers, the DoT is considering introducing 11 digits mobile numbers.