Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-ir) -- Peru's Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that beginning April 5, cellular phone numbers in Peru would have 9 digits instead of 8.

It was announced that in the capital city of Lima, the number "9" would be added to cellular phone numbers.

In Peru's provinces, not only will cell phone numbers be changed but the area codes in the Andean country's regions will also vary.

The Ministry of Communications (MTC) explained that in the regions of La Libertad, Arequipa, Piura and Lambayeque the numbers 94, 95, 96 and 97 would have to be dialed first.

In other regions of the country, the number nine would be placed in front of a double-digit area code.

For instance, if the area code in Amazonas is 41, beginning April 5, the numbers 941 will have to be dialed before one dials the cellular phone number.

One of the benefits of having nine digit cellular phone numbers is that it will be possible to have more cellular phone numbers in the country, said Peru's MTC.

Ministry representatives also explained that this decision made number portability possible. Users would be able to keep cell phone numbers when switching from one phone company to another.

To make the transition easier for consumers, the MTC has announced that there will be radio as well as television commercials and information distributed so that customers are clear on the new cellular phone numbers they will have.