Beeper numbers changed

JAKARTA (JP): State domestic telecommunications firm PT Telkom changed yesterday three-digit telephone numbers of Skytel, Starko and Santika radio paging (beeper) operators.

Telkom announced Skytel phone numbers had changed from 131 to 13011, Starko numbers from 135 to 13022 and Santika numbers from 138 to 13038.

The change was necessary because of a government regulation stating three-digit phone numbers were designated for public services only.

Telkom previously set three-digit phone numbers but the government took over the right to set the numbers last year. Now only the Directorate General of Post and Telecommunications can set three-digit numbers.

Three-digit telephone numbers are now being applied to important services like emergency units, police stations, the fire brigade and other major social facilities.

The Jakarta police station's number is 110, AIDS information 163 and the fire brigade 113.

Existing three-digit phone numbers include 108, 106, 102 (telephone information), 100 (long distance call operator), 104 (international call operator) and 103 (local time). (icn)