New Delhi, Sep 16 - Reliance Mobile, the GSM arm of telecom operator Reliance Communication (RCom), Wednesday said it would launch a new mobile number series beginning with the digit '8' in the Delhi-National Capital Region circle.

Reliance will be the first telecom operator to shift from the practice of beginning a cell phone number with the digit '9'.

'New series numbers are now readily available at retail outlets including Reliance Web Worlds and Reliance Mobile Stores. Customers have an option to pick the numbers of their choice,' said C.S. Rana, the company's regional head for Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.

The numbers will be offered on both pre-paid and post-paid platforms.