Japan’s communications ministry plans to create for assignment some 10 billion 14-digit phone numbers starting with the code “020.” From a report: With the commercialization of fifth-generation, or 5G, superfast mobile communications fast approaching, 11-digit numbers are expected to run out as early as fiscal 2022. The plan to introduce the new numbers, by the end of 2021 at the latest, was proposed at a recent meeting of a panel of experts. It was accepted by the three major mobile phone operators — NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. and SoftBank.

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Source: Slashdot – Japan Plans To Create 10 Billion 14-Digit Phone Numbers as 5G Era Nears