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Beyond the Numbering Conventions the regulation of numbering from July 2003. Nicholas Good 1 July 2002. no sooner do we have new Conventions…. we get imminent changes to the regulatory environment: Communications Bill & Draft General Conditions
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Beyond the Numbering Conventionsthe regulation of numbering from July 2003 Nicholas Good 1 July 2002
no sooner do we have new Conventions… • we get imminent changes to the regulatory environment: • Communications Bill & • Draft General Conditions • (a consequence of Bill & implementation of EU Directives)
Communications Bill • published by DTI/DCMS - May 2002 • in parliament - 2002 • Communications Act - summer 2003?
Draft General Conditions • to meet with requirements of Bill/ Act & EU Directives* (ie, “live” 25 July 2003) • consultation document published by Oftel - May 2002 • three months consultation • statement - late Autumn 2002 • in place - July 2003 • * re numbering policy these are: • Framework Directive, Authorisation Directive, Universal Service Directive
we need a plan… the National Telephone Numbering Plan a consequence of which is...
Clause 43 of The Communications Bill:The national telephone numbering plan (1) It shall be the duty of OFCOM to publish a document (to be known as “the National Telephone Numbering Plan”) setting out (a) the numbers that they have determined to be available for allocation by them as telephone numbers; (b) such restrictions as they consider appropriate on the adoption of numbers available for allocation in accordance with the plan; and (c) such restrictions as they consider appropriate on the other uses to which numbers available for allocation in accordance with the plan may be put.
Condition 20 of Draft General Conditions of Entitlement: Allocation and Adoption of Telephone Numbers (20.2) The Communications Provider shall have a Numbering Plan for such Telephone Numbers as OFCOM may allocate to it from time to time. Except where OFCOM otherwise consent in writing, such Numbering Plan shall be consistent with the National Telephone Numbering Plan…
two issues arise: • - detailed rules: the National Telephone Numbering Plan & • - eligibilty for numbering: (a) communications providers & (b) non-providers
National Telephone Numbering Plan • the detailed conditions upon which numbers are allocated & adopted • ie, successor to: • Numbering Conventions & Numbering Code: • ie, “such restrictions as [OFCOM]... consider appropriate on the adoption [and]... other uses” • Specified Numbering Scheme: • ie, “numbers that they have determined to be available for allocation”
National Telephone Numbering Plan • IN • rules from the Conventions/ Code - not covered elsewhere - that apply to “Communications Providers” & • facts re the SNS • OUT • “guidance information” & • rules already in Bill or General Condition
detail IN • detailed rules for particular number ranges & codes (eg, non-guidance-only sections of Parts A & B of Conventions & the Code) • definitions (more & clearer) • (eg, geographic, PNS, PRS, special services, etc)
detail OUT • general Oftel/ OFCOM responsibilities (covered by Bill) • eligibility criteria (Bill) • timing of applications (Bill) • allocations/ reservations procedure (Condition) • withdrawal procedure (Bill) • general conditions on allocations (Bill)
detail OUT continued... • guidance on international standards • number presentation (unless obligatory) • background information re particular number ranges & codes these removed to a “Guide to Numbering”...
“Guide to Numbering” • Oftel/ OFCOM responsibilities (reinstating, in general, principles set out in Bill/ Act) • international standards • number presentation • background information
eligibilty (1)“communications provider” a provider of electronic communication Clause 43(10) “Electronic communication“ means a communication for conveyance by means of an electronic communications network… communications providers are: (i) subject to the General Conditions & (ii) eligible for numbers relevant to communication service it provides
eligibilty (2)“non-providers” Clause 45: Telephone numbering conditions binding non- providers (1) OFCOM may set conditions relating to - (a) the allocation of telephone numbers to persons who are not communications providers; (b) the use of telephone numbers by such persons… but that will be the subject of separate consultation...
timescale • mop up conclusions re General Condition & Bill • in parliament - Autumn 2002 • consultation document on Plan - Jan/ Feb 2003 • three month consultation • statement - May 2003 • in place - 25 July 2003
this is not an opportunity to change policy only to clarify & re-implement policy • hence consultation in 2003 • (ie, after & taking into account any PRS/ 05 changes) • hence work on last year’s major revision, & restructuring of Conventions not in vain!