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Summary

1.1 This final explanatory statement sets out the Office of Communications’ (‘Ofcom’s’) decision to proceed with:

1. its proposal to add the mobile number ranges 071 to 075 to Part A of the National Telephone Numbering Plan (‘the Numbering Plan’) so that these sub-ranges will be designated for mobile services; and
2. its proposal to modify the application form for 07 numbers so that the 075 range can be opened for allocation now.

1.2 Ofcom published its proposal and notification to modify the Numbering Plan, to implement its policy decision^(-1-) to reserve 071 to 075 for mobile services, in a Statement dated 27 July 2006 called Telephone Numbering – Safeguarding the future of numbers (the ‘July 2006 Statement’)^(-2-). The July 2006 Statement also included Ofcom’s proposal and notification to modify the 07 application form to open 075 for allocation in order to ensure sufficient mobile number blocks are available to meet communications providers’ needs.

1.3 These proposals were summarised in Consultation Question 3 at Annex 8 of the July 2006 Statement which asked:

Question 3 Do you agree with the proposed designation of 071 to 075 inclusive as mobile services, and the corresponding amendment of the application form to include 075?

1.4 The July 2006 Statement also included notification of proposed modifications to the Numbering Plan in relation to opening the 03 number range as a new range to be used by providers wishing to offer nationwide calling services to their customers, and some amendments to the 070 range in relation to the introduction of pre-call announcements to callers, where the cost of the call would exceed a specified price ceiling.

1.5 The closing date for responses to the July 2006 Statement was 14 September 2006.

1.6 Ofcom has decided to proceed with its plans to increase the supply of mobile numbers as a priority and therefore separately from other parts of the July 2006 Statement in order to ensure that sufficient mobile number blocks are available for allocation to communications providers. Ofcom intends to issue a separate final statement in relation to the other proposed notifications summarised in paragraph 1.4 above in the near future.

1.7 Ofcom received a total of 17 responses to the July 2006 Statement, of which 9 made comments in response to Question 3 regarding Ofcom’s proposals in relation to mobile telephone numbers. Ofcom has considered every representation it has received during the consultation period about these specific proposals.

1.8 Ofcom has decided to implement the modifications to the Numbering Plan to designate 071 to 075 for mobile services and to amend the 07 application form to include the 075 range. Ofcom is satisfied that these modifications meet the legal tests set out in Annex 2 of the July 2006 Statement^(-3-) and restated in Annex 2 of this document. Notifications of these changes are at Annexes 3 and 4 respectively.

Footnotes:

1.- A policy decision reached following consultation on a proposal to recognise and, over a period of time, consolidate the 07 range as a mobile ‘brand’ and specifically to reserve the unused part of the 07 range (071-075) for mobile services. See Ofcom’s consultation of 23 February 2006 on Telephone Numbering – Safeguarding the future of numbers at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/numberingreview/numbering.pdf.

2.- A statement including a Notification of modifications to General Condition 17 and the National Telephone Numbering Plan published on 27 July 2006 called Telephone Numbering – Safeguarding the future of numbers. This can be found at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/numberingreview/statement/statement.pdf

3.- Paragraphs A2.71 to A2.84 deal specifically with Ofcom’s proposed modifications to designate and open new mobile numbering sub-ranges within the 07 range.

The full document is available below:

• Increasing the supply of mobile numbers [pdf]
  Final explanatory statement and Notification of modifications to the National Telephone Numbering Plan and the relevant numbering application form - Full Print Version

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