TelEm Group educating the public about use of 1-721 area code for St. Maarten.

Pond Island:--- TelEm Group is stepping up education to the general public about the use of the new 1-721 area code for St. Maarten.

As of 5:00am Friday October 5th, 2012, all TelEm Group landline and mobile equipment was declared ready to handle calls using the new area code 1-721.

Friday signaled completion of final adjustments and configurations to TelCell mobile equipment. Landline and other voice configurations were completed in August.

TelEm Group is informing customers and members of the public generally that with immediate effect, use of the old dialing code +599 has been discontinued.

During the coming weeks TelEm Group will be reminding the public about the new area code, stating when and how to use it for both local and international calls. Messages are also being sent via SMS as well and via customer bills.

FOR ALL LOCAL CALLS:
1. 7 digit number or
2. +1721 + 7 digit number / 721 + 7 digit number

FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS (OUT OF) ST. MAARTEN :
1. 011 + country code + area code + number OR
2. 1 + area code + number (for NANP Countries only)

FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS (INTO) ST. MAARTEN:
1. +1721 + 7 digit local number OR
2. 1721 + 7 digit local number ( for NANP Countries only)

FOR EASE OF USE MOBILE CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO STORE THEIR ST. MAARTEN MOBILE NUMBERS IN THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL FORMAT : +1(721)5xxxxxx.