ABOUT 100 million new mobile phone numbers starting with ''05'' will be introduced in 2017 when the supply of ''04'' numbers is expected to run out.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will announce today changes to the telecommunications numbering plan, including the new mobile prefix and changes to geographic numbering.

''Demand for mobile numbers is being driven by new technologies like internet-capable smart phones, tablets and machine to machine communications. The authority estimates an additional 100 million numbers will be needed to provide an adequate supply for more than 20 years,'' chairman Chris Chapman said.

The changes to fixed-line numbers will remove boundaries in capital cities that dictate which numbers can be given out in which suburbs. This will allow customers to take phone numbers with them when they move within the city and lower providers' costs.

And more numbers will be provided for high-growth regional areas where there is a chance numbers could run out within 20 years. When the supply of ''52'' numbers runs out in Geelong and Colac, for example, the authority will allocate ''42'' and then ''32'' numbers.