National Numbering Plan Of Sultanate Of Oman (NNP)

1. National Numbering PlanOf Sultanate Of Oman(NNP) Presented By Eng.Mohammed Al-Ismaily

2. Outline • Background • Roles of TRA in National Numbering Plan • Existing Numbering Plan • New Numbering Plan • Dialing Plan for Public Service Codes • Number Portability • Conclusion

3. Background • TRA is a body corporate  regulates establishment, operation & maintenance of telecommunications services in the Sultanate • It promotes interest of telecommunications service providers and beneficiaries, ensuring that consumers receive international standards of telecommunications services, with a reasonable range of choices at affordable prices

4. Why Regulate? • Promote access to world class telecom services • Setting guidelines for Licensees • Tackle anti-competition practices • Ensure QoS • Solve disputes between operators

5. RegulatoryFramework • Royal Decree number 30/2002 “The Act” is the primary legislation for regulation of the Omani telecommunications sector • The Act established the TRA • TRA duties and powers (which amongst other things include): • To prepare & implement the general policy for the sector approved by Government • To encourage use of telecom services to access world markets

6. The Roles of TRA in NNP • In the past, incumbent operator (Omantel) has been responsible for the planning & management of NNP • In 2002 the responsibility of NNP was transferred to TRA • The Minister issues primary rules & procedures in connection with NNP • TRA accordingly sets out guidelines for numbering of all types of telecommunications services in the Sultanate

7. The Roles of TRA in NNP • TRA takes into account of the following guiding principles when managing, allocating & reserving numbers • Ensure that sufficient numbers are available  meet end user & operator demand • Fair, equitable & transparent allocations • Ensure that NNP is fully compatible with relevant international agreements, standards & recommendations • NNP is formatted to ensure numbers of different types give a broad indication of service & tariff

8. Numbers allocations & Reservations • Authority’s task is to allocate, reserve, assign, modify & withdraw numbers • Licensed operators providing public telecommunication services are eligible to apply for allocation/reservation of numbers • Public at large must seek number allocation from licensed operators • Allocation/reservation of numbers is done on a “first come first served” basis • Neither operators nor users have ownership rights over any numbers allocated

9. Existing Numbering Plan

10. Why Change? • The current numbering plan suffers from the following: • The structured allocation of number groups is exhausted • Too many exchanges sharing same lower levels • Some exchanges are already running out of numbers • There is no spare numbering capacity for the introduction of new operators

11. New Numbering Plan • A new numbering plan of 8 digits scheme is proposed for the following reasons: • Will allow easy identification of regions • Offer immediate availability of additional numbers, in particular for mobile services • Offer long term availability of numbers for new services & new operators • It is, quick and simple to implement • implementation started in July 2004 & will be completed by year 2005 • Contains the following number ranges

12. New Numbering Plan

13. New Numbering Plan • Why closed scheme • Simpler for the caller as he doesn’t need to remember the area code • Oman has always been using closed numbering scheme and will be difficult to convince the public to adopt the area codes. • Expected customer base can be accommodated within the new 8 digits closed plan for foreseeable future • Requirements for new operators & new services can be as effectively accommodated within a closed numbering scheme

14. Dialing Plan for Public Service Codes • 4 digits shot codes has been implemented starting with digit 1 • Authority categorizes access codes by type of service for which they are used into the following: • Type A access Code  used to reach commonly used services (e.g 9999 for emergencies) • Type B access Code  have network wide significance  used to access services available from operators’ system

15. Charges and Fees • Charges made for numbering allocation is to be based on the administrative costs of the Authority in administering the numbering plan • An annual charge of 25 OR per 1 block of 1000 numbers is currently under study • It also proposed a 250 OR per a short code annually

16. Number Portability • Technical implementation of mobile number portability • Operators have been instructed to implement the distributed database solution • Requires operators to set up their national databases containing records of individual ported numbers • Originating network has to recognize ported number & transfer it to the respective Gateway

17. Number Portability • Operator obligations under number portability • Has technical capability required to provide number portability for the portable service • Has technology available for use within its network to provide number portability & enables end-to-end connectivity • Management of ported numbers • Each operators must make & keep register of the ported numbers • Operators must make register available for inspection

18. Conclusion • TRA is responsible for the National Numbering Plan • Existing Numbering Plan is running short of capacity • New Numbering Plan is currently under implementation • Mobile Operators must adopt Number portability • In future fixed operators shall also adopt number portability when it will be feasible

19. THANK YOU