Deadlines, as we all know, are prone to being extended: Telecom Value Added Services (VAS) companies who were earlier asked to switch to a five digit format as a part of the “National Numbering Plan”, have been given a breather - Business Standard reports that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the deadline to December 31. Now this move allows companies that have been promoting their short codes as brands (Star India’s 7827, Indiatimes’ 8888) some more time to rebrand. But what’s the benefit of making this switch? Will it bring costs down? How will consumers benefit?