June 24th, 2008

Why Not Zero?

Posted by: Purgatory at 12:35 am in Technology
So I was reading Fonzy's post on the changes in phone numbers by adding an extra digit, with so many permutations, and then I started to think, why not just add a Zero in front of all the numbers?

for Example 662-5643 becomes 0662-5643 and 913-4567 becomes 0913-4567 and 4740052 becomes 0474-0052, it is the same idea and less complicated, or am I missing something? I know in many countries you dial a zero before a number, and I did a quick google search (didn't read it all) and found these two things

1) Link to a Wired Article from 2003 link

2) This video



Purgatorian Post #0-1305

15 Responses to “Why Not Zero?”

13\ ما عندها موبايل .عندها تلفون لعبة said in June 24th, 2008 at 12:54 am
" ... and 913-4567 becomes 0912-4567..." :I
Khaos said in June 24th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Yes, you're missing on 2 major points.

1- Adding a zero would not allow for additional numbers to be issued; undermining the whole premise of adding a digit.

2- It would result in many numbers depreciating in value, e.g. 6666666 would change to 06666666 (ugly!)


I therefore applaud the ministry for its prudent and rational decision for once.
shopa said in June 24th, 2008 at 7:20 am
the point of adding a digit is to increase the numbers! since we are out of numbers! so if you just add a zero to all numbers, what's the point?
Someday said in June 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am
4740052
if I called this number mino ye6la3 ly?
Purgatory said in June 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Someday, how should I know, all my numbers are random.

Shopa, how is that different? it is the same, its an additional number, adding a Zero or adding a 9 is the same, the only reason I can see for adding say a 6 or 9 to mobile numbers is to because people are used to them, and I do not know if your old enough to remember, but 25 years back or so, they did add 2 to 6 digit phone numbers in many areas.

Khaos, see reply to Shopa.

13, corrected. :)

Did anyone read the article??
K.theKuwaiti said in June 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
0 can't be used as a preceding number .. they could add a 1 to current numbers, but that would cause issues in differentiating between services.

Your way:

09123456 = Zain
19123456 = Zain
29123456 = Zain

The new way:
9-1234567
9-1234568
9-1234569
Purgatory said in June 24th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I do not get why zero cannot be used as first number, I have been in other countries where the first number I dial is a zero followed by either area code or say mobile number (examples UK and Netherlands) for local numbers.

I do not think (believe) the issues are technical but rather cosmetic, by allocating specific number ranges for specific purposes or providers, however the question still lingers in my mind, does this come at an extra cost compared to the Zero option?
K.theKuwaiti said in June 24th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Because the zero is dropped when called internationally:

07901 = +447901
Purgatory said in June 24th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Ok, I know that part, so you are saying since 0 is similar to a non existent number, basically something used for inside country purposes, it does not really count as a number.
Amethyst said in June 24th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I'm considering getting a phone which can handle VoIP..
jewaira said in June 24th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Nice video.
Ruby Woo said in June 24th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
It kinda makes sense beecause I read somewhere that they're gonna use the 0 for something else. Not sure though, I might be making that up!
Ruby Woo said in June 24th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Ok I just read the comments above and yeah I guess I made that up! I really don't know when to shut up :p
Anonymous said in July 1st, 2008 at 12:57 am
0 not number, and yes can be used but not in 8 digit, I have seen 6 digit in Kuwait become 7 and now we will jump to 8 but we are not large enough to use 9 digit where we must use #0, 0 in all cases a critical number or can't be considered as number unless u have to, example 911, 777, 555, agbecome large enough to use 9 digit than we will use 0ain if we in Kuwait because we must keep a free number again another example 09 333 3403 zero used to keep the digit after it useful and again in this case 0 has no value and will not use the free number as 0 another example 00 333 3403 this will be international :)eshryakom
a248h8er said in July 1st, 2008 at 8:41 pm
yes haha, makes sense..check my blog.
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