Terms of Reference Directory Enquiries (DQ) Numbering Sub-Group

• This Group is a Sub-Group of the Directory Enquiries Implementation Working Group.
• Oftel set out the broad terms of eligibility for the new 118XX(X) codes, and the services for which these codes are appropriate in its September 2001 Statement. Oftel also proposed a procedure for the allocation of these codes in the same document.
• This Sub-Group will act as the Industry forum for advising the Director General of Telecommunications (‘the Director’) on the Industry-preferred methods for allocating the new 118XX(X) codes, for discussing whether 5- or 6-digit codes should be allocated and for commenting on Oftel’s proposals contained in the September 2001 Statement. The advice of this Sub-Group will not fetter the Director’s discretion to decide how the 118XX(X) codes are allocated in practice.
• This Sub-Group should as a priority report the preferred number allocation option(s) to the Working Group (and Oftel) by the end of November 2001.
• This Sub-Group will identify any material consumer-affecting issues that arise relating to DQ numbering to the Working Group, in order that the Working Group may seek the views of consumer representatives, in the first instance through the DQ Consumer Issues sub-group or directly as necessary.

Membership

• The Sub-Group will be open to Oftel and operators running a telecommunication system under a licence granted under Section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, whether that is an individual or a class licence, containing a Numbering Arrangements Condition, or to those operators who are in the process of applying for such a licence.
• Participation will be limited to at most two representatives from any organisation at any meeting. Participants are encouraged to send one representative only if at all possible in the interests of meeting efficiency.

Method of Working

• Meetings will be held fortnightly initially (subject to review).
• This Sub-Group will present its recommendations and estimated timings to the Implementation Working Group (and Oftel). Any such proposals will be circulated to the Sub-Group email distribution list for approval, and the Sub-Group will attempt to gain consensus for the proposal prior to submission to the Working Group. At least 1 week will be allowed for comments from Sub-Group participants. Participants that do not respond will be considered to support the proposal.
• An email distribution list will be maintained of contacts from eligible organisations who indicate they wish to be included on such a list.
• Minutes of each meeting will be produced as soon as possible after each meeting, and will be circulated by email. Minutes will be posted when agreed on Oftel’s web site.

Constitution

• The Chair will be responsible for administering and maintaining the master email distribution list for the Sub-Group, arranging Sub-Group meetings and reporting to the Implementation Working Group. The Chair will have a duty to carry out chairing functions impartially. Where the Chair also represents an interested organisation, the Chair will clearly indicate when s/he is acting in the role of Chair, and when s/he is acting on behalf of his/her organisation.
• Tom Hickey of Conduit will chair the Sub-Group.
• Secretary – duty to rotate alphabetically amongst meeting participants

Quorum

• Minimum - representatives of five different organisations, including at least one representative of a fixed network operator, one representative of a mobile network operator, one representative of a (non-network operator) service provider, and Oftel.