French IDD code changed

JAKARTA (JP): The international direct dialing code for France has been changed from 13 digits to 14 digits.

The state-owned international telecommunications carrier PT Indosat said in a statement Saturday that the change was announced by France Telecom and took effect as of Oct. 19.

The code number for Marseille, for example, has been changed from 001 (Indosat's international access code) + 33 (French country code) + xx xx xx xx (telephone number) to 001 + 33(+ 4) + xx xx xx xx.

PT Indosat stated that the area codes of Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille and Nantes have been changed to 334,335, 333 and 332 respectively. The area code of Paris is unchanged, 331.

People intending to make calls to mobile phones should now dial 6 first, before dialing the eight-digit telephone number.

Detailed information on the changes is available through Indosat's 24-hour information service at 102. (icn)