The National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) issued a license for using the short number 116111 for providing assistance to children to the national telecoms carrier SA Moldtelecom, at its request. The service will be launched on June 1. The given number is one of the three national short numbers for social services, adjusted to those used at European level (116000, 116111 and 116123), IPN reports, quoting a communiqué of the Agency.

The number 116 111 is specifically for children who seek assistance and need someone to talk to. The service helps children in need of care and protection and links them to the appropriate services and resources; it provides children with an opportunity to express their concerns and talk about issues directly affecting them.

The calls to 116111 will be free for all the users from any fixed-line and/or mobile phone network. The service will be available round-the-clock seven days a week. At night the calls will be directed to the mobile phone number of a consultant on guard.

116 is a range of easy-to-remember and free-of-charge phone numbers to assist children and adults in need. The European Commission has reserved five short numbers with a single format 116 + 3 digits for helplines that should be accessible to everyone in Europe.

The license issued to SA Moldtelecom is valid for the period between June 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016.