The Republic could run out of mobile phone numbers by late 2002 due to strong consumer demand and the introduction of third generation technology, the telecoms regulator has said.

Ms Etain Doyle issued the warning yesterday at the publication of a consultation paper on mobile numbering and urged the telecoms industry to act.

"Given the current growth in mobile subscriptions, there is a real risk that we could run out of mobile numbers in late 2002," she said. "Action is therefore required to provide extra numbers."

Demand for numbers is forecast to rise from four million in 2000 to 12 million in 2009. Higher use of mobiles among all sectors, especially among pre-paid customers, is highlighted in a report prepared by telecoms consultancy Ovum.

It suggests the simple solution of adding an extra digit to numbers does not make economic sense and would cost the country some £65 million (€82.5 million). Rather, introducing subscriber numbers beginning with 0 and 1 for pre-paid mobile customers would provide an interim solution.

It would be in Ireland's best interests to introduce full portability, enabling consumers to bring their numbers, including pre fixes, with them when they change networks, says the report.

At present, Eircell and Esat Digifone set aside subscriber numbers held by customers of the rival operator. Therefore when a customer changes network they can bring this number with them and they only have to change the 087 or 086 prefix.