If you have been reading reports that the Centre is planning to bring in 13-digit mobile numbers, please ignore them. The department of telecommunications ( DoT ) on Wednesday said there was no such proposal, panning all the confusion doing the rounds on news websites and social media.The DoT has ordered all telecom service providers in the country to start issuing 13-digit mobile numbers to SIM-based M2M devices, which it said will co-exist with 10-digit mobile numbers scheme. It rubbished reports that claimed that normal retail mobile numbers would also be shifted to 13-digit mobile numbers. The 10-digit mobile numbers scheme will stay for retail mobile numbers.The reports had claimed that DoT had issued a directive to all the telecom operators , asking them to start issuing 13-digit mobile numbers to customers, which is not the case.Indian telecom service providers offer M2M services as part of their enterprise offerings catering to various industries. So, far they have been using the 10-digit mobile numbers scheme for issuing M2M connections. The 10-digit mobile numbers scheme will be used for issuing mobile connections for retail consumers for regular voice and data services.In India , telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, RCom, and BSNL offer M2M services to their enterprise customers. For instance, Airtel's M2M offerings include Smart Metering, Asset Tracking Solutions, Equipment Monitoring Solutions and Traffic Management Solution."The undersigned is directed to convey the approval of competent authority that 13-digit numbering scheme has been approved for SIM-based M2M devices which will co-exist with existing 10-digit mobile numbering schemes," the Department of Telecommunications said in a letter.M2M is commonly referred to cellular network-driven remote communication between two entities or machines for automation needs, and its application varies from smart appliances to smart home systems and connected vehicles.The DoT said that in January this year it decided that the new 13-digit M2M numbering plan will be implemented from July 1, 2018. "From this date onwards, all new M2M mobile connections will be allocated l3-digit numbers only," it said.The department has ordered all telecom service providers to ensure that their network elements including IT and other relevant systems are aligned with 13-digit numbering for M2M SIMs before July 1, 2018. "The readiness of LI system has also to be ensured for I3-digit numbers before July 1," it said.The department said that the migration of existing 10-digit M2M numbers to 13 digits must start latest by October 1, 2018, and be completed by December 31, 2018.